Mullingar Town Band’s band director, Kim Magee spoke of the band’s delight to have received €3,487 as part of the Music Capital Scheme.
Announced on Wednesday, 9 October by Music Network, the funding granted to Mullingar Town Band allows them to buy needed instruments.
The town band director, Kim said: “We are very delighted to be awarded that. The money is going towards two lightweight, quality snare drums and bass drums for our concert percussion line because the drums that we actually have at the moment are very heavy.
“With upcoming young players as well, they are more usable so we are delighted. We are very grateful to meet the Music Capital Scheme which has supported us in the past as well with brass and woodwind instruments.”
Music Network’s CEO, Sharon Rollston commented: “Since establishing The Music Capital Grant Scheme with the Arts Council 16 years ago, we have made 652 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to musical instruments for over 59,000 people.
“Our mission is to make high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland, and to support professional musicians to excel in the performance and creation of music.”
Minister for Culture and Arts, Catherine Martin TD stated: “I would like to sincerely thank Music Network for managing the Music Capital Scheme. This funding allows so many deserving organisations and individuals to receive the support they need to purchase musical instruments and, as a former music teacher, that is such a wonderful thing to be a part of.”
SUCCESSFUL RECRUITMENT DRIVE
Kim also told Topic about the band’s successful recruitment drive for new members and musicians to join Mullingar Town Band.
She said: “Throughout September, we did our recruitment drive and in our junior band music programme, we recruited up to 20 new players and in our senior band, probably about eight new players between our concert band and our marching band.
“The door is always open, especially with our adult side of the band. Our concert band meets every second Wednesday. If anybody is enquiring about joining the band they can email mullingartownband1897@gmail.com.”
