U2 TOGETHER WITH THE IRELAND FUNDS WILL CONTINUE TO CO-FUND MUSIC GENERATION PROGRAMME UNTIL THE END OF 2015 AS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS FUNDING IS PHASED IN .
MUSIC GENERATION WICKLOW REACHES 3800 CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE TO DATE
August 12th 2014: Music Generation, the music education programme initiated by Music Network following a €7m philanthropic donation by U2 and The Ireland Funds, is set to become a long-term and lasting part of the national music education landscape from this July when the Department of Education & Skills commences phased co-funding of the programme with Local Music Education Partnerships, commencing with Louth, Mayo and Sligo.
Music Generation provides young people with access to high quality subsidised vocal and instrumental tuition in their local area. Music Generation Wicklow, set up in 2012, is one of 12 Music Education Partnerships. Music Generation Wicklow has provided tuition for up to 3800 children and young people and providing employment for some 27 musicians.
In January 2013 the Department of Education and Skills announced it would begin the phasing in of its co-funding from July 2014 with Local Music Education Partnerships with a view to these partners completely replacing the original philanthropic donation by 2016. The €7m donation from U2 (€5m) and The Ireland Funds (€2m) made in 2009 was the largest ever single philanthropic donation to music education in Ireland in the history of the state.
Commenting on this next stage of Music Generation’s development, The Edge said; “I believe it’s a documented fact that exposure to music makes a better society. We’re still practicing but we were lucky enough to attend a school with a great music programme and that is why Music Generation is so important to us. We are very proud of its success and the fact that it will continue into the future.”
