Mayo: Four tuition centres are recommencing for a new term in Ballinrobe, Crossmolina, Rossport and Louisburgh. The Kaleidoscope Big Band is the latest in a series of Musician-In-Residence programmes to be rolled out by Music Generation Mayo to begin shortly. Music Generation Mayo presented the Exceptional Music Student Bursary Awards in December with each of the recipients performing on the night, you can catch a video of this performance here.
Sligo: A new term of Instrumental and Vocal Tuition classes in Easkey, Ballymote and Grange has started as Music Generation Sligo plans to expand these and additional centres in 2014. The county's Discovering Music programme continues to go from strength to strength - to date this programme has reached 5,500 children and young people across Sligo. A new Instrument Bank Scheme for schools and youth/music organisations to purchase musical instruments worth €40,000 was also announced in December. See more here.
Cork City: The Ballyphehane Trad Orchestra, a new exciting project presented by Club Ceoil, Ballyphehane in partnership with Music Generation Cork City kicked off earlier this month with their L� Taispeantas (Showcase/Audition day). Plans are well underway for the upcoming Music Generation Cork City Concert Party 2014 at Cork Opera House on Sunday 9th February, a showcase of Cork's young musicians. See more here.
Laois: In December, the Music Generation Laois Christmas Concert at the Dunamaise Arts Centre showcased seven different music programmes now being delivered in the county, with 82 performers taking centre stage. Music Generation Laois's weekly programmes have recommenced for 2014, with new schools joining the programmes. An assortment of instruments have arrived this January, ranging from Timpani to double bass, thanks to the support of Laois Partnership. See more here.
Wicklow: Music Generation Wicklow recently announced the award of approximately €65,000 under the Music Instrument Capital Purchase Scheme. New Notes Now, a new commissions programme is underway, allowing young musicians a unique chance to work with a composer/songwriter across a 12 month period on the creation and performance of new music. See more here.
Carlow: Music Generation Carlow is basking in its post-performance glow after two successful presentations of
Speranza - a new choral composition by Transition Year Students from Borris Vocational School working with Irish composer Linda Buckley. Carlow is delighted to officially announce the launch of its Traditional Irish Music programme providing tuition and group performance opportunities for young Carlow musicians, aged 8-18 years. See more here.
Limerick City: Music Generation Limerick City's Co-ordinator, Boris Hunka, is the principal arranger of Limerick's City of Culture Song 'Everything's Gonna be Alright', which was performed live on New Year 's Eve 2013. The song was pre-recorded with 500 performers - choirs, youth groups, professional ensembles and the full range of Music Generation Limerick City projects, of whom 50 performed live on the night, televised live on RT�, and MC'd by Limerick native Will Leahy. See a video of the song here.
Offaly / Westmeath: Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath (MGOW) is developing two new programmes - Instrument Outreach and Choral Music. A new Kod�ly Music Education training programme is being devised together with DIT, The Kod�ly society of Ireland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland, which is intended to be rolled out nationally. Westmeath County Council has issued a tender for the purchase of musical instruments for a new MGOW instrument bank, and a new group of musician tutors are to come on board. See more here.