Music Network invites classical musicians to apply for the Young Musicwide Award 2006.

This award is a professional development scheme designed to assist a selected group of Ireland's brightest young musicians at the beginning of their professional career. The award is open to chamber music ensembles of any instrumentation, including brass, wind, string ensembles, ensembles involving piano, voice, percussion, or mixed combinations of these instrument types.

The main features of the Young Musicwide Award 2006 are:

• Ongoing performance opportunities with Music Network promoters in Ireland over a 3-year period with agreed fee and expenses for each concert performed during this time.
• A specially designed publicity package and campaign.
• Professional support and advice towards the development of recipients' performing careers.
• A promotional CD.
• A Dublin showcase event.

The closing date for completed applications is Monday 10 July 2006. Through an audition process in September, an Irish or Ireland-based chamber ensemble, with a proven interest in performance in a concert setting, will be selected to participate in the Young Musicwide Award programme for three years.

The award is open to instrumentalists aged under 27 years, and vocalists under 30. Previous recipients of the award include the Callino Quartet (2001); voice and piano duo Ailish Tynan and Deborah Kelleher (2002); clarinettist Carol McGonnell (2003); Organics Jazz Trio (2004) and traditional group Slide (2005).

Application forms are available for download from the Music Network web site. For further information, contact Eimear Chaomhánach, Performance Programmes Administrator, at (01) 671 9429 or concertadmin@musicnetwork.ie.

Posted: 19 June 2006