Here’s how the newest Music Generation partnerships have kick-started their programmes!

Participants of Music Generation Waterford's Teen Vocal Camp. Photo: Sean Byrne

In September 2017, Music Generation announced nine new areas of Ireland selected for participation in the programme’s second phase. The news was met with much excitement by local partners and communities in those areas, eager to open up new opportunities for children and young people in their localities to connect with music. Shortly after the announcement programme implementation got underway, starting with five of the areas selected: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; Galway County; Leitrim; Waterford; and Wexford. Music Generation Development Officers were appointed in each locale and, together with their partners and members of the national Music Generation network, a range of access programmes and initiatives have been carefully planned for the beginning of the next academic year.

Meanwhile, during the summer months young musicians in many of these new Music Generation areas have already had a chance to engage in workshops, camps and taster sessions with skilled music educators.

Young musicians and singers in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown raised the roof this month in Music Generation dlr’s first ever showcase. The performance was the culmination of a week-long song writing, music composition and performance workshop, facilitated by the wonderful folks at Alternative Entertainment.

And there’s no slowing down for Music Generation dlr this summer as a host of workshops will run this week, providing opportunities for children of all ages to get involved, try an instrument and get a taste of what is to come from the programme into the future.

Exciting times for young musicians in the west of Ireland! Symphonic Waves is the first of a number of programmes to be led by Music Generation Galway County, where young strings players will rehearse and perform under the baton of Professor James Cavanagh. Beyond 2018, the ensemble will play a significant part in the celebrations of Galway as European Capital of Culture in 2020. Stay tuned for more from Music Generation Galway County!

Leitrim hit the right note in June with ‘Find Your Voice,’ Music Generation Leitrim’s first singing workshop. Young people were introduced to the world of group singing, learning to improve their voices and build confidence within a fun-filled environment under the guidance of Ite O'Donovan and Devon MacGillivray.

Budding singers in Waterford have had a busy summer. In June Music Generation Waterford presented its first official event, ‘Teen Vocal Camp,’ where young singers had the opportunity to develop their singing skills, gain performance experience and make lots of new friends under the mentorship of acclaimed singer and vocal coach, Gemma Sugrue.

And that’s not all that’s in store for children and young people in the area this summer—get ready for ‘Summer Sing Out,’ an exciting three-day singing adventure, as well as a Jazz Jam Session as part of the 2018 Spraoi Festival.

Over the coming months, four more Phase 2 areas will commence the process for programme planning and implementation (Cavan/Monaghan; Galway City; Kilkenny and Roscommon) and we look forward to keeping you up to date on developments.

We cannot wait to see what the rest of the year will bring for these partnerships and the opportunities they will create for the children and young people around Ireland!