Longford musicians urged to apply now for high quality classical instrument scheme

Musicians based in county Longford have been invited to apply to the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection – open to up and coming classical players.

The call is for access to seven high quality classical instruments including three violins, a viola, a cello and a concert harp.

However, the deadline is fast approaching and applications close on Tuesday, September 29 at 2pm.

Access to seven instruments, three violins, a viola, two cello, and a concert harp, on a loan basis is available through the award and applications can be made online at musicnetwork.ie.

The scheme was announced by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan as part of the Music Network Music Capital Scheme which has been supporting the purchase of musical instruments for both individual professional musicians and non-professional performing groups for the past 17 years.

This specific strand of the scheme ran for the first time last year.

It is designed to address the unique challenges faced by emerging professional classical players – and keen to receive applications from exceptional Longford musicians.

A primary barrier in fulfilling artistic and career potential is the lack of access to a suitable standard instrument.

This award loans high-quality instruments for a period of three years to successful applicants.

Furthermore, awardees may also be offered up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow which they will retain and own permanently.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview the week of 19 October 2026, followed by in-person auditions in Dublin on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October.

This year seven instruments have been added to the collection including violin: Alessandro Camilletti (2025), violin: Fratelli Guastalla (1925), violin: Voller Brothers (1893), viola: Charles John Wilkinson (c. 1935), the Maurice Meulien Cello and Bow, Caressa & Francais cello (1906), Robert Pierce bow (2021), Cello: Roger Hansell, Davidov-Stradivari copy (2020) and Concert Harp: Salvi – Iris Natural (2025).

This round of the award is open to advanced violinists, violists, cellists and harpists who are about to embark on, or in the process of studying for a Master’s degree, or who have completed their studies within the last three years and now embarking on their professional career.

Applicants must demonstrate high potential and have a strong track record as solo performers and / or in chamber music settings and applications are open to musicians who are Irish citizens or resident in the Republic of Ireland.

Irish citizens do not need to be living in Ireland to apply.

Music Network Chair Pat Moylan said, “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to both groups and individual musicians working in any genre.”

Speaking about the award Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said, “We are excited about the opportunity this funding has provided to establish a National Musical Instrument Collection, a significant step forward in addressing the barriers some musicians encounter – and encourage those interested to apply before the 2pm deadline on September 29.”

Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sportand managed by Music Network.

Since it was established the Scheme has made 850 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 70,000 people across the country.

A total of 430 non-professional performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 416 professional established and emerging musicians advanced their performance careers with new instruments enabled by the scheme.

Even more musicians will be supported this year and in the future through the continued expansion of this instrument collection.

Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.

More information about the awards, guidelines and application forms is available at www.musicnetwork.ie