Music Generation is proud to announce the launch of #musicchangedme, a new storytelling series that puts the microphone in the hands of children to share how music-making has shaped their lives.
The series launched with spotlight on the Kilkenny Youth Choir from Music Generation Kilkenny. Comprised of singers aged 8 to 12, this group was chosen to lead the first phase of the project, focusing specifically on the theme of Music and Connection: Stories of Friendship. In a project that puts young creatives in the director’s chair, these primary school musicians have moved beyond performance to become storytellers, sharing how music shapes their lives, friendships, and confidence.
The Kilkenny Youth Choir, part of Music Generation Kilkenny, is a dynamic ensemble of young singers who have gained confidence, strong musicianship and lasting friendships through regular performances and collaborations.
The choir performs at a wide range of community, festival and charity events, including Singing in a Winter Wonderland at St. Canice’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and national projects such as #MusicChangedMe.
Most recently, the choir was specially invited by the internationally acclaimed Vancouver Youth Choir to perform as guest artists in a high-profile international concert at St. Canice’s Cathedral, sharing the stage in joint and individual performances that created an inspiring musical exchange.
This project is part of a larger 2026 initiative spanning Kilkenny, Limerick County, and Westmeath. The young musicians participated in workshops where they took on the roles of interviewers, directors, and editors, ensuring the final videos are an authentic reflection of their own experiences.
""I was nervous, but it was exciting. We were waiting for it for a few weeks to see how it went, and it was really good. It was really nice."" Jane, a member of the Kilkenny Youth Choir, reflected on the experience of filming their story:
The Kilkenny film is the first of three bespoke pieces developed by young musicians across the country. While the Kilkenny group focused on friendship, upcoming stories from Limerick County and Westmeath will explore how music helps young people find their creative voice and navigate personal challenges.
By centring on these personal stories, #musicchangedme captures the real-life impact of music making and what happens when every child has the opportunity to create and be heard.
Every Tuesday, this youth community group comes together to create, collaborate, and connect through music in a peer-led, youth-centred space. It’s a place where young people can truly be themselves expressing their voices, building friendships, and shaping their own creative journey. Supported through a partnership with Creative Arts Raising Abbeyfeale, West Limerick Resources, Limerick Arts Office, Foroige, Creative Ireland, and the local youth officer, this project celebrates the power of community and creativity.
These young creatives have taken their music beyond the Hub and into the heart of the Abbeyfeale community - performing in @An_Siopa_Milseán, at the local library and GAA Clubhouse, connecting their community through music.
The Athlone Youth Orchestra, founded in 2014 through Music Generation, was established by musician educators Paul Hensey, Niall Mannion and Andrew Yau. The orchestra provides young musicians with a creative space to develop their musical skills, build confidence and foster lasting friendships through ensemble performance and collaborative music-making.
Performing throughout the year at art exhibitions, Christmas markets, local community events and Culture Night celebrations, Athlone Youth Orchestra has become a vibrant and valued part of the region's cultural landscape. In 2020, the orchestra took to the stage of the National Concert Hall as part of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras Festival, marking a significant milestone in its development.
More recently, Athlone Youth Orchestra collaborated with composer Ruairí Glasheen through a partnership involving Maynooth University and Music Generation Kildare and Offaly to create a new work entitled Pulse of the Peatlands. The orchestra has also participated in the Building Orchestral Pathways programme, delivered in partnership with Music Generation Offaly and Music Generation Laois. Through this initiative, members had the opportunity to perform under the direction of Verónica Urrego of Sistema Scotland and the National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain, further enriching their orchestral experience and supporting their musical growth.
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme with a mission to empower children and young people to realise their full potential through access, to and participation in, high quality performance music education. Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Youth and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs) in which Education and Training Board and Local Authorities play a lead role.
The project was developed by Music Generation National Development Office in collaboration with filmmaker and director Séan Downey of SwanIGuess.
Music Generation Kilkenny is managed by Kilkenny Music Education Partnership, a partnership between Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board and Kilkenny County Council.
Music Generation Limerick County is led by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in partnership with Limerick City and County Council.
Music Generation Westmeath is managed by Westmeath Music Education Partnership, led by Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board in partnership with Westmeath County Council.