The Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB ) with Music Generation have announced the appointment of accomplished musician and music educator, Laurie Barrett, to the role of Music Generation development officer for Mayo.
In her new role, Barrett will lead on the management of an extensive performance music education strategy for the county on behalf of the Local Music Education Partnership. She will build upon the strong foundations for performance music education established through Music Generation Mayo since 2011, creating opportunities for children and young people to access high quality, affordable tuition within their local communities.
Barrett holds a BMus (honours ) in Trumpet Performance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the United States and certification in musical conducting from the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin.
She has already had a vast musical and teaching career, having played professionally for the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra among other bands and ensembles and having taught as an ordained clergy and private music instructor. In 2015 she joined the Music Generation Mayo team of tutors, teaching brass instruments in conjunction with her position as bandmaster for the Foxford Brass and Reed Band.
On the announcement of her appointment, Barrett said: "Music Generation embodies the approach I would like to inspire in all our team members and young musicians. Music provides a place to belong, a space to become who we want to be and a chance to develop skills we can use our whole life long."
Mayo is one of 20 areas of Ireland currently participating in Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, which seeks to transform the lives of children and young people by creating access to high-quality, subsidised, performance music education in their localities.
Nationally Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and the Department of Education and Skills. In Mayo the programme is managed by Mayo Local Music Education Partnership, led by MSLETB in partnership with Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo County Development Board, Mayo County Community Forum and Mayo Education Centre.
Commenting on the new appointment, Chief Executive of MSLETB, Tom O’Grady, said: "We are delighted to welcome Laurie into her pivotal role at Music Generation Mayo where she will extend the opportunities for children and young people to access music tuition in their locality.
"Laurie brings a wealth of experience to the role in the areas of leadership and music education, and knowledge of the programme as a previous member of the Music Generation Mayo panel of tutors. We look forward to working with Laurie and our partners, funders and participants over the coming years to continue to build on the programme’s growth and achievements."
For further information about Music Generation Mayo, including details about music tuition and participation, visit: http://www.musicgenerationmayo.ie/
