Music Generation Development Officers Appointed in Leitrim and Waterford

Music Generation, together with Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), and Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB), is delighted to announce the appointments of Thérèse McCartin and Shauna McCullough as Music Generation Development Officers for Music Generation Leitrim and Music Generation Waterford respectively.

Music Generation is Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills, and Local Music Education Partnerships (MEPs).

In their new posts, Thérèse and Shauna will have responsibility for developing and managing affordable and accessible performance music education programmes for children and young people ages 0 to 18 in their localities. This will include the coordination of music tuition services within the counties, working in partnership with schools, community music groups and centres in the formation of choirs, ensembles, multi-genre performance initiatives, and more.

A native of County Leitrim, Thérèse McCartin is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin (Bachelor in Music Education) and is currently undertaking an MA in Early Years Music Education. She has many years’ experience teaching in primary schools and Early Years settings, and in 2003 established the Cavan Academy of Music to provide tuition across a range of instruments and styles of music for students of all ages. She is also an accomplished harpist, singer and composer, a former member of The Lassus Scholars and Anuna (the original chorus for Riverdance), and a current member of The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir.

Shauna McCullough is a BMus graduate of CIT Cork School of Music and holds an MA in Music Education from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. She brings a wealth of experience to Waterford having spent many years working with children and young people throughout Cork City and County in schools and community settings, including five years’ work as lead brass tutor with Music Generation Cork City. Shauna previously held a position in the Irish Defence Forces as a trumpet player (Band 1 Southern Brigade), and continues to perform as a member of various orchestras and ensembles including the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra.

Leitrim and Waterford are two of the nine new areas of Ireland selected for participation in ‘Phase 2’ of Music Generation, which will enable expansion of the programme into a further 9 areas of Ireland on a phased basis over the next five years. ‘Phase 2’ was made possible as a result of philanthropic donations by U2 and The Ireland Funds, and through the commitments of the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships to co-fund the initiatives on a long-term, lasting basis.

Locally, Music Generation Leitrim is managed by Leitrim MEP, led by MSLETB in partnership with Leitrim County Council Arts Office. Music Generation Waterford is managed locally by Waterford MEP, led by WWETB in partnership with Waterford City and County Council. For further information visit www.musicgeneration.ie

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Contact: Music Generaton National Development Office: info@musicgeneration.ie | 01 475 8454
 
NOTES TO EDITORS

Biography: Thérèse McCartin
Thérèse McCartin is from County Leitrim and began playing piano at the age of six. She attended the Royal Irish Academy of Music and went on to graduate from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

In 2003 Thérèse established the Cavan Academy of Music to provide tuition across a range of instruments and styles of music for students of all ages. Thérèse has many years’ experience teaching in primary schools and Early Years settings. She previously taught at DIT Conservatory of Music and is currently undertaking an MA in Early Years Music Education.

An accomplished harpist, singer and composer, Thérèse was a member of Anuna (the original chorus in Riverdance), The Lassus Scholars, and is currently a member of The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir. In 2009 she completed her piano album which was produced by Frank McNamara from RTÉ’s ‘The Late Late Show’. The title track, ‘Another April Day’, was composed by Thérèse with lyrics composed by her father, Tommy. Thérèse has been signed to Universal Music Publishing (UMP) and AGR Television Records.

Contact: Thérèse McCartin, Music Generation Development Officer, Music Generation Leitrim
T: 071 9620024 ex 206 / E: theresemccartin@msletb.ie

Biography: Shauna McCullough
Prior to her appointment at Music Generation Waterford Shauna McCullough worked as lead brass tutor with Music Generation Cork City for five years. She has enjoyed a varied career as a musician, performance music educator, conductor and music education programme developer. Shauna is a BMus Graduate of CIT Cork School of Music and holds an MA in Music Education from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Shauna previously held a position in the Irish Defence Forces as a trumpet player (Band 1 Southern Brigade), and continues to perform as a member of various orchestras and ensembles including the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra.

Shauna brings a wealth of experience to Waterford having spent many years working with children and young people throughout Cork City and County in schools and community settings. She is a passionate advocate for community-based music education and creating opportunities for children and young people to access progressive pathways to begin life-long journeys within music education and performance.

Shauna has presented her MA Research at conferences including the Society for Music Education Ireland Conference (2014, 2016) and the 32nd Conference of the International Society for Music Education in Glasgow (2016). Shauna was a Lead Artist in the pioneering research initiative ‘Exploring Teacher/Artist partnerships as a model for CPD supporting and enhancing Arts Education’, initiated by the Association of Teacher Education Centres Ireland and published in 2016.

Contact: Shauna McCullough, Music Generation Development Officer, Music Generation Waterford
T: 058 51405 / E: shaunamccullough@wwetb.ie

About Music Generation Leitrim
Music Generation Leitrim is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills, and managed locally by Leitrim Music Education Partnership, led by MSLETB with support from Leitrim County Council. MSLETB is also the Lead Partner for Mayo and Sligo MEPs which were established as part of Music Generation ‘Phase 1’ in 2011.

On announcing the appointment of Thérèse McCartin to the role of Music Generation Development Officer in Leitrim, Shaun Purcell, Chief Executive, MSLETB said: ‘I would like to welcome and wish Therese well in her new post. It is an exciting time for Leitrim. Music Generation has brought the joy of performance to new horizons and will extend that joy to the beautiful hills and valleys of Leitrim.’

Joseph Gilhooly, Chief Executive, spoke on behalf of Leitrim County Council: ‘We are delighted to be rolling out this Music Generation programme here in Leitrim. The programme will be a great addition to the rich culture and tradition of music that we have in Leitrim and a game-changer in terms of access to music education for every child in the county. On behalf of Leitrim County Council, I would like to welcome Thérèse back to Leitrim and wish her well in her work.'

About Music Generation Waterford
Music Generation Waterford is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills, and managed locally by Waterford Music Education Partnership (MEP), led by WWETB in partnership with Waterford City and County Council.

On the announcement of Shauna McCullough’s appointment in Waterford, Chief Executive of WWETB, Kevin Lewis, said: ‘We are delighted to announce Shauna’s appointment to this pivotal role at Music Generation Waterford, which will enable programme set-up and implementation to get underway with energy and efficiency. Shauna brings a wealth of expertise to the role, including in the areas of programme development and planning, community music education, and leadership. Shauna is a passionate advocate for creating access to inspiring musical encounters for children and young people, and we very much look forward to working with her over the coming years to bring these new opportunities to communities across Waterford City and County.'

Michael Quinn, Director of Corporate and Culture Services, Waterford City and County Council, welcomed Shauna’s appointment saying ‘Our local authority is fully committed to Music Generation which we see as an important and strategic programme for the development of music in Waterford City and County. We are investing in this for our young people and citizens and our Arts Office is looking forward to working with Shauna as she commences work at an exciting time for music provision in Waterford.’