More than 7,500 children and young people in Westmeath and Offaly will now have access to music tuition for the next three years thanks to a €1 million injection of funds announced this week.
Under the auspices of the VEC, Westmeath and Offaly are two of 10 local authorities to benefit from this round of payments from the Music Network, a philanthropic group funded by U2, and The Ireland Fund.
They have awarded €568,000 for the two counties over the next three years, and this will be matched by financial, and in-kind supports from lead partners Offaly and Westmeath County Councils, the VEC, the Westmeath Community Development office, and in partnership with the AIT.
The scheme helps children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition in their own locality. Following a competitive application process, Offaly and Westmeath now join forces with local music education partnerships currently established in Cork City, Laois, Louth, Mayo, Sligo, and Wicklow to create better access to music education for children and young people.
Music Generation, which was initiated by Music Network, has been enabled by a €7m philanthropic donation - €5m from U2 and a further €2m which is currently being raised by The Ireland Fund.
The project will have three distinct strands:
An ‘Early Years’ programme focused on singing and aimed at 4-9 year olds; the ‘Play an Instrument’ programme aimed at over 9s which will extend the existing Westmeath VEC instrumental scheme into Offaly; and the ‘Midlands: Music in our Lives’ programme for all ages. This will consist of a three-part developmental intervention comprising workshops, composer-in-residence, and annual showcase day, to interconnect the work of the Music Education Partnership and that of existing music providers.
For more information contact Westmeath Arts Office on (044 ) 9332140 or email [email protected]
