Public Servant Lifestyle

Bournemouth University student latest to benefit from Arts Council musical instrument scheme.

A Poole musician who dreamed of joining a band but couldn’t afford a new guitar has seen his dream come true, thanks to a scheme from Arts Council England, South West that helps people buy musical instruments.

Scott McDonald, aged 20, who works at the Musicroom music shop in the Towngate Centre, wanted to join rock band Halo Suit, but the new bass guitar he desperately wanted – a limited edition BC Rich Virgo - cost over £400 and was out of his reach.

Pictured (right): Scott McDonald bought his new guitar with the help of Take it away, a funding scheme for musical instruments from Arts Council England, South West. Picture: Kevin Clifford.

Fortunately help was at hand in the form of the Arts Council’s Take it away scheme, an interest-free loan that allows people to pay back the cost of the instrument in up to nine monthly instalments.

Take It Away Scheme

Scott said: "Take it away meant I could afford to buy the guitar I’ve always wanted and put it to good use. My girlfriend practises with my new guitar now too, so both of us are making music thanks to Take it away."

Take it away is aimed at anyone who wants to buy a musical instrument, particularly families on low incomes and those who can’t afford the full amount in one go. Many instruments, especially wind and string instruments can cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds.

Arts Council England, South West Executive Director Nick Capaldi said: "Scott and his band Halo Suit are a brilliant example of how Take it Away can help musicians of all ages and backgrounds. There are a lot of talented people out there who are being put off learning how to play a new instrument because of the costs involved. We’re hoping Take it away will lessen the burden and provide more opportunities for them."

Now Scott and the rest of the band, including his Musicroom colleague Mark McKeown, practise in the shop on Friday and Saturday evenings and are looking forward to their first gig on March 13 at Dylan’s Bar, Bournemouth University.

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