U2-led music scheme expands its horizons
MUSIC Generation, the U2-backed programme providing affordable music education for children, is spreading to three more counties.
Children in Cork city, Laois and Wicklow will soon be tuning up thanks to the innovative programme.
Under the scheme, tuition is provided free, or at low cost, to help develop young musical talent whose families might otherwise not be able to afford it.
It is already successfully under way in Louth, Mayo and Sligo and the plan is to support 12 local Music Education Partnerships nationwide by by 2015.
The three counties that were added to the programme yesterday will share €1.7m in funding over the next three years.
In the largest ever philanthropic gift to music education in Ireland, U2 donated €5m to kick-start the scheme, and an additional €2m is being provided by the international charitable network, The Ireland Fund.
The programme is a boon to music teachers, with a jobs bonanza expected in the counties that are involved in the scheme.
U2's The Edge said access to music for young people was something that was very close to the band's hearts.
- Katherine Donnelly
Irish Independent
