Funding for three north Wicklow musical acts

THREE musical acts from County Wicklow are to receive over €15,000 in funding from the Music Capital Scheme.

Supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and managed by Music Network, the scheme provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and professional musicians.

The three Wicklow acts to allocated funding are the Major Minors Junior Choir, Martin Johnson and Redmond O’Toole, all based in Bray.

The Major Minors Junior Choir is to receive €1,693.60 of Stream 1 funding, which provides a range of community and music groups with financial support. The 22 (of 49) eligible applicants were awarded a total of €125,000.

Stream 2 funding saw €64,000 awarded to 15 highly-skilled musicians who perform professionally to assist with the purchase of instruments. Martin Johnson, the section leader cello at RTE National Symphony Orchestra, was granted €12,500 to purchase a new cello bow while guitar virtuoso Remond O’Toole was awarded €1,350 for a theorbo and case.

Minister of State Andrew Doyle, in congratulating the trio, said that the funding would ‘greatly benefit Wicklow’s musical output by enabling some of our most talented performers to update their instruments and equipment.’

‘Music is a great asset to any community and is a key part to our identity. This funding will greatly enhance local musical heritage and help continue to support local amateur and professional talent,’ he said.