Music Generation Musicians Join U2 for 50th Anniversary Performance at Mount Temple
32 young Music Generation musicians representing every county in Ireland took the stage with U2 to mark the band's 50th Anniversary on 25th September 2026.
The SMEI annual conference is just around the corner, and we are delighted that members of the Music Generation team are among those set to contribute to its jam-packed programme presentations, panels and symposia.
Sure to be an insightful and productive weekend of learning and knowledge-sharing, the SMEI conference will feature two sessions with Music Generation Carlow’s Paula Phelan, who will discuss “the musical life of a two year old” and consider how to build professional development programmes for Early Years Practitioners.
National Director Rosaleen Molloy will chair a symposium entitled Reactions, Reflections and Responses with input from panellists Niall Doyle (Head of Music and Opera, The Arts Council), Finghin Collins (Pianist), and Paula Phelan (Programme Director, Music Generation Carlow). The symposium will consider how the experiences we encounter influence, shape and inform how musicians, music educators and those in music education leadership roles perform and teach.
Dr. Patricia Flynn and Dr. Thomas Johnston will present findings from the Music Generation and St. Patrick’s College's research partnership, focusing on extending an understanding of performance music education, and what implications that might hold for future development.
Over a well-deserved mid-morning break on Saturday 7 November, delegates will be treated to a very special performance by Music Generation Laois’s Harp Ensemble who will travel to Dublin especially for the event.
The 2015 SMEI conference is hosted by the Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin Institute of Technology, and will take place in DIT’s Kevin Street campus.
Registration for the conference is open now online.
For further information contact Dr Lorraine O’Connell, Conference Chair at
smeiconference2015@gmail.com
About the Society for Music Education in Ireland
The SMEI was established in 2010 as a democratically formed umbrella group for music education interests in Ireland. It has affiliate status with the International Society for Music Education (ISME). Members currently comprise those with an interest in music education at primary, second and higher education levels, music in the community, artist-teachers, choral educators, instrumental teachers and more. Membership is open to individuals and organisations with an involvement in music education. SMEI provides a platform for music education in Ireland at an international level.
