Music Generation

The establishment of our subsidiary company Music Generation has radically improved access to music education, and is fostering the practitioners and patrons of the future.

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, which transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high-quality performance music education in their local area. Initiated by Music Network, the programme is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships.

A key objective in Music Network's Strategic Plan 2014 - 2017 is to work with and through Music Generation towards the full implementation of the National Music Education Programme and an integrated strategy for joined up local music development.

There are currently twelve local music education partnerships throughout the country that engage regularly with Music Network's Learning & Participation programme.

Music Network has also partnered on projects such as PUNKIT, a series of schools-based percussion workshops funded by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Programme and presented by Music Generation Sligo and Music Generation Mayo together with Love Live Music Scotland. PUNKIT culminated in performances in both counties of this explosive, fun, participative music work for massed percussion written by award winning composer Stephen Deazley, featuring internationally renowned percussion soloist Joby Burgess. 

Read more about the history and origin of Music Generation.

Music Network Learning & Participation Programme

In addition to working with Music Generation music education partnerships, we also work with a range of third level music education institutes, music schools and community music schools.

Music Network works with a range of partners in providing Learning and Participation programmes, offering bespoke educational opportunities in the form of workshops, talks, masterclasses, demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions providing local musicians and music students with an opportunity to work with Irish and international touring musicians. Find out more here.

Music Network Artist Residency Programme

The Music Network Artist Residency Programme 2017 has been developed to provide the selected musician with access to resources to curate a 6-date concert series to take place within a 3– 12 month timeframe, in collaboration with Music Network, Wexford County Council Arts Office and The National Opera House. It is intended that this programme will positively intersect with local authority and participating venues’arts development plans and, potentially, the work of a range of community music groups, making high quality live music available and accessible to people throughout Ireland, while supporting the career development of musicians.

Find out more here.