U2 receive National Philanthropist of the Year Award

The Community Foundation for Ireland, one of the country's leading foundations for developing philanthropy in Ireland, recently announced the winners of the fourth annual Philanthropist of the Year Awards. Among this year's award winners were U2, who were given the National Philanthropist of the Year Award for their involvement with Music Generation.

The awards, now in their fourth year, were set up by The Community Foundation for Ireland to shine a light on the extraordinary generosity and leadership of philanthropists in the country. Accepting the award on behalf of U2, Trevor Bowen from Principle Management thanked The Community Foundation and Music Generation for the award and said that the band believe in the importance of music education for Ireland's children and young people.

Chairman of Music Generation Tony Ó Dálaigh said, "The Board of Music Generation was delighted to nominate U2 for this well deserved award. Thousands of Ireland's children and young people will now have access to music education because of the support of U2 together with The Ireland Funds."

Read more or view this youtube clip. 

Next Round of Music Generation Funding

The next round of Music Generation funding is expected to be announced during autumn 2011 with an 8 - 10 week window thereafter to the deadline for applications. Music Education Partnerships intending to apply for Round 2 are advised to allow sufficient lead-in and planning time over the coming months in developing plans and engaging in public consultation. While amendments may be made to sections of the Guidelines Documents available on www.musicgeneration.ie it is unlikely that they will be changed substantially for Round 2. Music Education Partnerships are advised to consult the Guidelines Documents in detail.   

Upcoming Music Generation Events

Music Generation will be holding a National Seminar during the autumn to coincide with the announcement of Round 2 funding. This seminar will share learning from Round 1 as well as providing advice and information for Round 2 applicants. Full details, including date and venue, to be announced shortly.  

RTÉ lyric fm - Music Generation Media Partner 

Tune into RTÉ lyric fm 96-99fm - Music Generation's official media partner. Throughout the month of May lyric will include a series of Soundbyte features within Liz Nolan's Lunchtime Classics programme - (weekdays 12-2pm). Take a trip down memory lane with some of Ireland's best known music personalities and lyric presenters who will share their memories of their own music education. 

Upcoming Events

European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA)

Injury Prevention and Health Education for Pianists/Teachers - Sunday 8th May, Royal Irish Academy of Music at 2.00 p.m. Presentation by British Association of Performing Arts Medicinefollowed by a recital by Máire Carroll, winner of Heneghan Cup 2010 Feis Ceoil. Meeting is open to all, charge of €15 applies to non-members, student rate €5.

For further details contact EPTA Ireland at epta.ireland@gmail.com or visit www.epta.ie / Tel. 01 2893701.

The Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI)

SMEI's AGM will take place at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick on Saturday 21^st May 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.  This day-long event will comprise a showcase session involving practice-based presentations from music educators, community musicians and music leaders in the Limerick/Shannon area, the AGM of SMEI and an advisory session for individual and group members who are considering making submissions for the 2012 ISME World Conference in Greece. For further details, contact Julie Tiernan at julie.tiernan@ul.ie.  

The Voicing Conference

Presented by Irish Music Education (IME), Thursday June 2^nd 2011, St Patrick's College Drumcondra 2pm-6pm.

CALL FOR POSTERS deadline May 9^th: Posters are invited from all involved in Music Education to be displayed at the IME Voicing Conference, June 2^nd 2011. Register and reserve a space for your poster by completing an application form available to download from www.irishmusiceducation.ie.  

The Voicing Conference is an Expo style conference with papers on music education research and music education practice displayed in the one space. It aims to connect those involved, display the range and diversity of music education in Ireland and raise awareness of and knowledge about what is currently happening in music education in Ireland.

The 2011 conference will include poster displays of Research and Practice, launch of the Teachers Orchestra, focus on seminal music initiative, panel discussion and a workshop/performance by participants of a newly commissioned work.

Orchestral Manoevures

A week-long Orchestral Academy at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) July 11^th - 15^th, 2011. This non-residential, five-day event is led by conductor James Cavanagh and features expert training by members of the RIAM's distinguished teaching staff. No audition required, but participants should be between the ages of 14 - 20 and Grade VI standard upwards. There will be a limited amount of spaces available for certain instruments, therefore allocation will be on a first come, first-served basis. Attendance at the course will cost €300. Cheques payable to RIAM and completed entry forms should reach the General Office at the Academy by Friday 20th May 2011.

Further details here or email  generaloffice@riam.ie  /  Tel . 01 6325300.

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