Music Generation Kilkenny is part of Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Fund, the Department of Education and Local Music Education Partnerships.
The programme aims to transform the lives of children and young people, aged 0-18yrs, by creating access to high-quality, affordable music tuition in their localities.
Nationally, the programme creates more than 42,500 opportunities every year for children and young people to take part in high-quality, subsidised performance music education in all musical genres and styles – from trad to jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, samba drumming, brass band, choral and orchestral initiatives, composers’ clubs and much more.
Currently, Music Generation Kilkenny runs partnership programmes in:
Music Generation Kilkenny runs after-school music hubs for young people who wish to learn an instrument or explore their singing skills in a group setting.
An after-school rock and pop music hub run in partnership with Foróige at the DRUM, MacDonagh Shopping Centre on Thursdays. Music Generation Kilkenny small group lessons in ukulele, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and singing.
Meets every Monday after school in Castlecomer. It provides an opportunity for young traditional players of primary school age to get involved in fun weekly lessons and performance opportunities. Instruments include fiddle, bodhrán, concertina, whistle, flute and banjo.
A blended mix of online and in-person tuition every Tuesday. The Hub’s dedicated young Uilleann Pipers performed ‘Uilleann Pipe Dreams’ as part of ‘ St. Patrick’s Day virtual parade. Check out the Music Generation Kilkenny YouTube channel to hear their captivating performance.
These are core programmes and in addition there have been many more initiatives such as community programmes, a TY programme, camps and a range of workshops from toddler music to sound production and song-writing workshops.
We try to capture every child by resourcing the programme through our instrument bank so that children can rent an instrument from us at a very low rate.
Programmes are underpinned by the talent and skills of a dedicated team of professional musicians who deliver programmes in schools and in the community throughout the year.
