Music Generation Clare Launch and Opening Concert

Music Generation Clare – Generating Music

Launch - 7:30pm Friday, November 7th, glór, Ennis.

The official launch of Music Generation Clare will take place on Friday, November 7th, in glór, Ennis. From 7:30pm there will be a very special musical performance to celebrate ‘County Clare through music - past, present and future’. Artists and groups performing include Dave Flynn & the Clare Memory Orchestra Chamber & Vocal Group, Clare Youth Service, Scoil Chríost Rí Trad Rock Fusion Band, and the Burren Children’s Choir. At 9pm there will be an announcement celebrating the launch of Music Generation Clare (MGC), followed by a historic performance by MGC patron and twice grammy nominated Maura O’Connell with Mike Hanrahan. MC for the evening will be Marty Morrissey.

George O’Callaghan, Chairperson of the Clare Music Education Partnership stated that “Music Generation in Clare presents us with a wonderful opportunity to build, develop and enhance the rich musical tradition in County Clare”.

A series of new initiatives delivering music education in school and community settings throughout the county are currently being rolled out by Music Generation Clare. The Escalation primary school singing programme is reaching almost 700 children in over twenty schools throughout the county, with nine performances scheduled to take place in December. A representation of the schools partaking in this new programme will perform together on the night. The Early Years programme will commence it’s pilot phase in November, where 3-5 year olds will embark on a journey of experiential learning to include live music experience, listening, responding, interaction, performing and composing original pieces. These will be followed by instrumental tuition and song-writing programmes in January, 2015.

”With the wide range of partners supporting Music Generation Clare, it hopes to complement the vibrant music initiatives in the county, to further and ensure access to a high quality music education which nurtures creativity, self-expression, inclusion and a life-long love of music in a generation of musicians of all genres”, said Emer O’Flaherty, Development Officer with Music Generation Clare.

Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation commented, “We are delighted to be working with all of the partners involved in Music Generation Clare to make music education happen for thousands of children and young people in the county over the coming years. Through the combined philanthropic support of U2, The Ireland Funds and local partners over €800,000 will be invested in music education in County Clare over the next three years and beyond that the programme will continue to be co-funded by the Department of Education and Skills. This exciting launch event marks the beginning of terrific things to come for music education in County Clare”.

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, a Music Network initiative, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Clare is supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in partnership with the University of Limerick, Clare County Council, Clare Education Centre and St. Vincent de Paul.

Contact Details:
Emer O'Flaherty, Development Officer, Music Generation Clare
Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Station Road, Ennis, County Clare
T: 065 6866743
E: emer.oflaherty@lcetb.ie
www.clarevec.ie