“…. everyone, whatever their background, gets access to music tuition. That's the idea." Bono/U2

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that aims to transform the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality.

Music Generation believes in the musical potential and innate artistry of every child and young person – that it is every child and young person’s right to have the choice of access and the chance to participate as a musical citizen, and that music doesn’t just change lives, it transforms lives!

Pupils at Scoil Aoife CNS with Joe McHugh T.D. Pic: Naoise Culhane

Initiated by Music Network ( co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships), Music Generation is now a key action within the Creative Youth Plan.

Phase 1 established Music Generation in 11 locations (Carlow, Clare, Cork City, Laois, Limerick City, Louth, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo, South Dublin and Wicklow), as well as working with Donegal Music Education Partnership on a range of projects and initiatives.

Phase 2 saw Music Generation established in a further 9 areas – Cavan/Monaghan, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway City, Galway County, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford.

Third class pupils at Scoil Aoife CNS from left Shammah, and Shiva with Joe McHugh T.D. Pic: Naoise Culhane

Under the Creative Ireland Programme, Music Generation is expanding to the remaining areas where Music Education Partnerships have not yet been established – this amounts to 9 new Partnerships being established, with 5 already set up in 2019 (Kerry, Kildare, Meath, Longford and Tipperary).

Locally, the programmes are managed by Music Education Partnerships, under the leadership of Music Development Officers.