Limerick County is the latest area to commence participation in Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme which strives to transform children and young people’s lives by giving them opportunities to create, play and perform music in their own communities. ‘Music Generation Limerick County’ will be established as part of the programme’s journey towards nationwide expansion.
Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board has partnered with Limerick City and County Council and Music Generation to improve opportunities for children and young people in the county to access high quality subsidised performance music education. Over the coming years, Music Generation Limerick County will offer new opportunities for children and young people, particularly those experiencing socio-economic and/or geographic disadvantage, to participate in dynamic and diverse performance music education programmes. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is already lead partner in two Music Generation Local Music Education Partnerships in the region: Music Generation Limerick City and Music Generation Clare.
Planning for the roll-out of Music Generation Limerick County is already underway. The next immediate step is to recruit a new Music Generation Development Officer with specific expertise to oversee programme development. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board is now inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the role of Music Generation Development Officer (Limerick County). This is a five-year, fixed-term contract. The application form, job description and person specification are available to download here. The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 22nd June 2021 at 12 noon.
Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education, and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs). Locally, Music Generation Limerick County will be led by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in partnership with Limerick City and County Council. Its formation in Limerick County follows a commitment by the Government in 2017 to support the nationwide roll-out of Music Generation as part of ‘Creative Youth’ – a Creative Ireland plan to enable the creative potential of every child and young person.
Commenting on the new programme, Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board said: “Music Generation Limerick County has developed several strands that will tend directly to the specific needs of the young people involved in the programme. These will aim to interlock and weave a new cultural, musical tapestry within the county.” He continued: “This provides a very unique opportunity to link the three different LMEPs (Music Generation Limerick City, Music Generation Limerick County and Music Generation Clare) and create a musical dialogue; three voices across the Shannon region.”
Pippa Little, Culture and Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council also added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board to bring high-quality musical education to the children and young people of County Limerick. The inclusive approach of Music Generation Limerick City is a game-changer in supporting children and young people to engaging with a key aspect of our culture, music.”
Since its establishment in 2010, Music Generation has grown to reach 26 areas of Ireland. Currently, it creates some 67,000 opportunities annually for children and young people to access music tuition, and 400 employment opportunities for skilled musician educators. Since March 2020, Music Generation programmes nationwide have been adapting and innovating to find safe, inspiring ways to connect with children and young people through music, on- and offline.
Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation, said: “I’m thrilled that Limerick County is joining us at Music Generation. Limerick County has shown enormous ambition and great dedication in setting out its vision for performance music education within the county. We look forward to working with all partners over the coming months and years to realise this vision, which will bring about truly transformative outcomes for the county’s next musical generation.”
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