Donations of music instruments for city schools sought

AN APPEAL to urge owners of unwanted musical instruments to donate them to primary school children is being launched this morning by musicians Don Baker and Mickey Harte.

The appeal is part of Dublin City Council’s Strings Project to teach capability on musical instruments to children in disadvantaged schools.

Participating pupils each receive free use of an instrument and a weekly music lesson in their school given by a qualified music tutor.

The project has already begun in St Enda’s National School, Whitefriar Street, Dublin and will shortly be extended to St Patrick’s National School, Ringsend. The council hopes to eventually expand the project throughout the city.

The schools selected are in the Department of Education’s Deis 1 category due to the multiple challenges faced by the children which include learning difficulties, poor attendance, health issues, behavioural issues, parental drug or alcohol problems, English as a second language, or non-parental guardianship.

The project is being supported by the council, the Aviva Stadium community gain fund, and local fundraising.

For its continued success, public donations of instruments are needed.

Any instrument, in any condition, would be greatly appreciated, but the project would be particularly pleased to receive some brass instruments, organiser Bobby Neill said.

“We have mainly violins so far, but eventually we hope to establish a youth orchestra, and with only string instruments, we’d just have half a youth orchestra.”

The project is already proving very popular in Whitefriar Street and has improved school attendance with children saying they look forward to coming to school on Mondays for their music lesson, Mr Neill said.

Anyone with an instrument to donate can drop it into the Carmelite Community Centre, Aungier Street or the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre, or contact the Dublin City Council southeast area office.