Funding Of €600,000 Sought To Develop Music Education Initiatives in Kerry

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Mariam Galvin Kerry ETB , Kate Kennelly KCC , Anne O’Dwyer Kerry ETB , Mayor of Kerry Michael O’Shea , Miranda Cournane Kerry ETB , Maria Treacy student in Music , Dec Barry KDYS , Helena Hennessey, Moira Murell (Chief Executive of KCC) ,and Bridget Crowley IT Tralee pictured at the launch of the intention to apply to Music Generation for up to €600,000 in seed funding to develop new music education initiatives for children and young people across Co. Kerry. Photo By : Domnick Walsh

KERRY Education and Training Board and Kerry County Council in partnership with the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Kerry Diocesan Youth Service , Ealain na Gaeltachta and local music educators and schools, have announced their intention to apply to Music Generation for up to €600,000 in seed funding to develop new music education initiatives for children and young people across Co. Kerry.

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality. Tuition programmes which encompass all musical genres and all types of instruments and vocal styles, are delivered locally by skilled professional musicians.

Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and local Music Education Partnerships.

Music Generation is already in operation in Louth, Mayo, Sligo, Cork City, Laois, Wicklow, Carlow, Limerick City, Offaly, Westmeath, Clare, South Dublin and Donegal. During its current development phase, Music Generation hopes to include up to nine additional regions in its programme over the period 2017-2021.

For the past number of years, Kerry Music Education Partnership, led by Kerry Education and Training Board, has been working with local providers to pilot a number of new music education initiatives as part of its Take Note Music Project.

According to Project Coordinator, Miranda Cournane; “this will be a fantastic opportunity for children and young people across Co. Kerry to access high quality music education initiatives in their own locality. We know from research studies that young people in particular have a need to engage with music. As well as the numerous cognitive benefits that arise from the learning of a musical instrument, children and young people also benefit socially and emotionally from participating in music-making”.

Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly stated that “access to music education throughout Co. Kerry will be greatly increased by this initiative. We want as many children as possible to have the opportunity to be involved in music.”

Ann O’Dwyer, Director of Schools at Kerry ETB and Chairperson of Kerry Music Education Partnership said “this is an excellent opportunity for Kerry. If we are successful in becoming a Music Generation Project we will have the resources to provide music education across the county particularly in areas that currently have little or no access to music tuition. This project is good for young aspiring musicians as well as music teachers and educators interested in pursuing a career in music in Kerry.”

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