The Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D. today (Thursday the 7th of June) announced the successful 35 organisations who will receive a grant under his Department’s Non-mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2018.
The purpose of this Scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant to smaller scale music education/community music initiatives and organisations around the country. These individuals, organisations and groups are providing access for young people and children to varied music education experiences in our communities. In March of this year, the Minister invited applications for grants under the scheme, with 69 applications received. The total budget available in 2018 is €100,000. A full list of the 35 successful recipients is provided below.
Minister Bruton said “I am very pleased that we can offer this bursary which will help nurture our talented young musicians and in particular I wish to acknowledge the work of their organisations and the many volunteers who work with them. Supporting young musicians in this way enables them to achieve their full potential as well rounded individuals.”
A large number of applications were received from organisations/groups that displayed:
- A well-established track record in music education provision
- Service provision in the area of non-mainstream music education/community music
- Delivery of non-mainstream music education for young people aged 18 years and younger
- Strong learning outcomes for participants
- Preference was also given to those organisations/groups who can demonstrate that they cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
Successful applications
St. Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts CLG (CCMA), Dublin 12 : Bursary award €15,000
St. Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts was established in November 2013 by Sr. Bernadette Sweeney. It provides access to music tuition and group classes on an inclusive basis to all young members of the Crumlin community. It currently caters for 350 children and young people per week. The Centre is open five days per week and on occasion they have concerts and events on Saturdays and Sundays also. Their musical aims are primarily based on the principle of access to all. Quality of provision is guaranteed by their expert teaching staff and regular participation in the Royal Irish Academy of Music Grade examinations. Performance opportunities include Orchestral Concerts on an ongoing basis, two summer concerts to showcase CCMA talent and following a Summer Camp in July each year the week culminates in an orchestral concert in Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin. In addition they have an Annual Pantomime and Musical.
Blanchardstown Brass Band, Swords, County Dublin: Bursary award €3,350
The Blanchardstown Brass Band is a traditional British Style Brass Band which was founded in 1826 and they celebrated their 191st year of existence last year. They are one of the oldest Brass Bands in Ireland. The organisation is governed by a voluntary committee and they have a band room in Blanchardstown village for practicing. Most of their youth members have learned to play music as a result of their band membership. The band performs around the Dublin 15 area for concerts and special events as required. Typical programmes include Marches, Overtures and Light Classical music, Music from Shows and Film, Irish and International Music. A professional Music Director provides individual lessons and rehearsals for members to improve their ability. The overall objective is to give members the opportunity to learn and play a brass instrument to an expert level in a community setting. Most members are not in a position to buy their own instrument so they are provided with a professional level instrument while playing with the band. The bursary will be used to purchase instruments, equipment and individual support for young people in an inclusive manner. It will enable the continuity of teaching children in a non-mainstream music education programme and simultaneously ensure the future of one of the oldest bands in Ireland.
2018 Total Bursary funding €100,000
€15,000 St Agnes Community Centre, CCMA , Crumlin, Dublin.
€10,000 Whitefriar Street String Project, Aungier Street, D2.
€5,500 Mayo Concert Orchestra,Castlebar Concert Band, Mayo Youth Orchestra
€5,500 Kilkenny Uilleann Pipers, Co. Kilkenny
€4,500 DIT Ballymun Music Programme, Ballymun, Dublin
€4,500 Inisboffin Island Development Company, County Galway
€3,350 Ballymore Eustace Concert Band, Kildare
€3,350 Inishowen Childrens Autism iCARE, Buncranna, Donegal
€3,350 Blanchardstown Brass Band, Swords, County Dublin
€3,350 HFC Concert Band, Wexford
€3,350 Naomh Brid Music, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
€3,350 Barack Street Concert Band, Waterford
€3,350 Carndonnagh Brass Band, Co. Donegal
€3,300 Colour My Strings initiative, Moyderwell, Co. Kerry
€3,250 Kids Classicks, Dunboyne, Co. Meath
€1,250 Gleann Glass Initiative,Roscrea,Co.Tipperary
€1,250 Partry Kids Choir, Claremorris, Co Mayo
€1,250 Old School of Music, The Commons, Co. Tipperary CCE
€1,250 Tourmakeady CCE, Co. Mayo CCE
€1,250 Foilmore CCE, Cahersiveen, Co Kerry
€1,250 Ballyboy CCE, Tullamore, Co Offaly
€1,250 Caislean Nua CCE, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
€1,250 Cavan Town CCE, Co Cavan
€1,250 Tuisceart Loch Gorman CCE, Wexford
€1,250 Gorey Ballyraggert CCE, Gorey, Co Wexford
€1,250 Ratheneska CCE, Co Laois
€1,250 Spink Comhaltas, Abbeyleix, Co Laois
€1,250 Powerstown Liosronagh, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
€1,250 Cahir CCE, CO Tipperary
€1,250 Laois Folk Orchestra CCE, Co Laois
€1,250 Mountmellick CCE, Co Laois
€1,250 Ceolteoirí Cluain Tarbh, Clontark, Co Dublin
€1,250 Craobh Leamchan, Lucan, Co Dublin
€1,250 Craobh Osraí, Marble City Branch, Kells Co Kilkenny
€1,250 Rahan CCE, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Photo supplied by Shane O’Neill of SON Photography.
