Commenting on the launch, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “Music-making is a vital and vibrant part of our culture. Finding the right instrument can transform a musician’s potential, but we know that at times it can also be a difficult and costly process. The Music Network Instrument Hub aims to address this by providing information on existing opportunities in one easy-to-access location. Meanwhile, we are also looking at ways to add to what’s currently available, by developing new strands of support for communities and musicians not currently being served.’’
The Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin T.D.’ said: “Learning to play a musical instrument and participating in making music with others is good for us, both as individuals and for our society as a whole. Music-making brings new friendships, opportunities to socialise and pure joy to many people’s lives, at any age. The Creative Ireland Programme is proud to support this new initiative that will help people to find suitable and affordable instruments, regardless of whether they are a total beginner, a professional, or someone turning to music for pleasure later in life. If you are thinking about taking up a musical instrument, then we urge you to take a look at instrumenthub.ie. Finding one might be easier than you think!”
To celebrate the launch of instrumenthub.ie, Music Network is calling on music lovers around the country to take to social media to share what playing a musical instrument means to them, with the hashtag #WhyIPlay. Music Network is also releasing Why I Play, a series of short films featuring seven of Ireland’s leading musicians to help raise awareness of the many benefits and joys of learning to play a musical instrument.
Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.
