£200,000 available for band instruments

Funding to the tune of £200,000 has again been made available for marching bands throughout Northern Ireland.

Minister for Communities, Paul Givan MLA, announced the reinstatement of the funding in 2016/17 for Musical Instruments for Bands across Northern Ireland.

The Musical Instruments for Bands Programme, which will be distributed through the Arts Council, is designed to make funding available for the purchase of musical instruments.

The Programme provided grants from £500 to £5,000 for the purchase of instruments to bands that are formally constituted and who have not received a grant from the fund in the previous five years. It is generally accessed by the marching bands community.

The Minister said: “The marching bands sector is the largest community arts sector in Northern Ireland with well in excess of 20,000 participants.

“These bands contribute to our society not just musically, but providing structure, discipline and a social outlet for a huge number of young people. They are an integral part of life in Northern Ireland and I will continue to work to ensure that adequate resources are available.”