John Lennon Bus & Music Generation Collaborate to Make Music Mobile

JOHN LENNON BUS & MUSIC GENERATION COLLABORATE TO MAKE MUSIC MOBILE

MUSIC GENERATION CELEBRATES REACHING 10,000 YOUNG PEOPLE

JOHN LENNON BUS OPEN TO PUBLIC THURSDAY 8TH AUGUST

Dublin, August 6th 2013: Music production became mobile in Dublin today, when the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus in partnership with Music Generation, rolled into the grounds of the National Concert Hall. The bus, which contains a fully equipped state-of-the-art music studio, is completing a two week Irish tour with young people involved in Music Generation, the U2 and Irelands Funds’ supported national music education programme, initiated by Music Network.

Music Generation’s collaboration with the John Lennon Bus, in association with the National Concert Hall, comes as Music Generation proudly announces that it has reached 10,000 children and young people, with further national expansion planned before the end of the year.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile audio and HD video recording and production facility. The Bus, which was made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon, is dedicated to providing young people with tours of the studios and participation in free song writing and multimedia production workshops. With the assistance of three on-board engineers, young aspiring musicians learn how to write, perform, record, and produce original songs, produce and shoot music videos and documentaries and complete a broadcast quality music video. The two week visit took in Music Generation Cork City, Music Generation Laois and Dublin offering the general public and Music Generation participants the opportunity to experience this extraordinary world class education resource. The bus will be open to the public on Thursday 8th from 7.30am-10pm at Essex Street East.

Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation said “We are delighted to have this fantastic opportunity to work with the John Lennon Bus team and the National Concert Hall and bring a real sense of excitement to music education across Ireland this summer.

Remarking on reaching out to 10,000 children and young people throughout the country, Ms. Molloy said “Music Generation’s ambitious plans are most definitely coming to fruition and reaping the rewards of providing extraordinary musical experiences for children and young people. Providing access to 10,000 children and young people marks an important milestone in the programme’s development."

“It is wonderful to see the young people having the opportunity to put their musical skills into practice on the John Lennon Bus located within the grounds of the National Concert Hall. I have to commend Yoko Ono for mobilising such a wonderful resource for young people as a way in which to create better access to music – a vision that is shared by Music Generation’s philanthropic donors U2 and The Ireland Funds, Music Network and the Local Music Education Partnerships with whom we work. Music Generation is continuously looking at new and exciting ways to encourage young people into music education and I can’t think of anything that would capture their imagination more than the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.”

Brian Rothschild, Executive Director of The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus stated “It was fantastic to tour Ireland and meet so many talented and vibrant young people. There is such a terrific energy and national momentum for music education here and it is wonderful to be working with Music Generation and the local Music Education Partnerships who, like the Lennon Bus are empowered to opening up access to music for the new generation. Our aim is to build on this great sense of enthusiasm, and inspire musicians of the future through our mission and the wonderful, state of the art production facilities on board the bus."

The UK & European tour schedule and interactive map can be found at www.lennonbus.org where visitors can also see all of the content created on board. Plans are underway to further expand the project to China and Japan.

/ENDS

For further information please contact:

Síle Murphy, Q4 Public Relations
086 0288 132/ 01 475 1 444

About the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus
The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. After 16 years of touring the U.S (taking in sites including SXSW, Coachella, CMJ and many more) the new Lennon Bus for Europe features the latest audio and video technology, gear and products.The concept began as an offshoot of the John Lennon Song writing Contest, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world. Go to www.jlsc.com for more information.

The Bus will travel across the U.K. and Europe year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences. Lennon Bus Europe is supported by the generosity of sponsors including Apple, Montana, Sony, Avid, True Religion, Neutrik, Thomann, Gibson Guitars, Epiphone, Baker & McKenzie , Genelec, NewTek, TodoCast by Globecomm, Vox Amps, Mobile Roadie, Audio-Technica, Roland, JamHub, SSL, Sonicbids, Genelec, Litepanels, Manfrotto, Clear-Com, AJA, Anton/Bauer, Copperpeace, Applied Acoustics Systems, McDSP, Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Noise Industries, iZotope, Slingerland Drums, and Mad Mimi. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon.

About Music Generation
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds, together with Local Music Education Partnerships. Music Generation helps over 10,000 children and young people annually access high quality music education in their local area. The programme is currently established in ten areas of the country – Carlow, Cork City, Laois, Louth, Limerick City, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo, Mayo and Wicklow. Music Generation works closely with the Department of Education and Skills who have committed to co-fund the programme with Local Music Education Partnerships from July 2014. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.