Music Generation Announces €1.8 Million Funding Now Available for Music Education Partnerships

U2 and Ireland Funds Supported Music Education Programme Calls for Applications

Dublin, 13 September 2011 - Music Generation, the U2 and Ireland Funds supported National Music Education Programme, today called for applications from local Music Education Partnerships to apply for funding to help children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition in their local area. A total fund €1.8million is available in Round 2.

The announcement was made at the inaugural Music Generation National Seminar, where a range of individuals and organisations from around the country gathered to participate in Music Generation’s first learning network. The learning network includes parents, performers, teachers, managers, musicians, community development workers and many more with an interest in music education, who will meet to share information and, by working together, establish networks to develop a co-ordinated national approach to improving the infrastructure for music in Ireland.

Young musicians from Louth, Mayo and Sligo, the first three counties to be selected for participation in Music Generation, represented their counties and performed for attendees.

Tony O Dálaigh, Chairman of Music Generation said, “We are delighted to announce the second round of funding available to Music Education Partnerships around the country. Music Generation has helped to build national momentum for music education where communities have been energised and empowered to simplyget behind it. We hope this trend towards a united national initiative for better access to music education for our children and young people will continue.

“Today’s seminar marks an important milestone for Music Generation, where representatives from every city and county have come together united by a common aim. We are very grateful to U2 and the Ireland Funds without whom this new evolution in Irish music education would not take place.”

Music Education Partnerships are eligible to apply for 50% funding, up to a maximum of €200,000 per year over three years. The closing date for Round 2 applications is 5.00 p.m., Thursday, November 3rd, 2011. Detailed guidelines and all application details are available on www.musicgeneration.ie.

Music Generation will provide three-year seed funding to establish local services, which will be sustained by Music Education Partnerships on a long-term basis. It is the intention of the Department of Education & Skills that Music Education Partnerships will be continued into the future with Exchequer funding when the Music Generation donations cease.