Music Generation – Announcing the establishment of Wicklow MEP, a new music education service for young people under 18 in County Wicklow

On Monday 12th of December Music Generation announced in both the national and local media that WICKLOW MEP a partnership between County Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council through Arts Office, has been successful in becoming one of three counties awarded in their second round of funding, an investment of €600,000 for music education in the county over a three year period. The funding for Music Generation has been donated by U2 (5 million euro) and the Ireland Funds (2 million euro). There are twelve opportunities for counties to avail of this fund, with Wicklow now among the first 6 that have been awarded.

For County Wicklow this means the establishment of a comprehensive music education service for the county for young people up to 18 years of age, which will both create new access to music education across the board in the county and enhance existing provision.

The proposal was among ten applications received by Music Generation in Round 2, which had a closing date earlier in November this year. The overall turnover of the project by Wicklow MEP for the three-year duration is expected to be in the region of €2 million euro. The match funding is drawn from many sources including from fees, sponsorship, and investment by County Wicklow VEC and Wicklow Local Authorities. The operation of the project will be through County Wicklow VEC.

It will create significant opportunities for young people across rock, choral music, classical music, pop, music technology etc, and is designed to be as inclusive as possible. In addition it will create employment opportunities with one full time and several part-time opportunities and contract work for musicians and music educators in the county, as well as having a spin off for local business. In developing this programme for Wicklow the partners (VEC & WCC) conducted extensive consultation and research in the county, and the implementation of the programme will respond to those needs and gaps in current provision identified.

To broaden access to high-quality music education, diminish the barrier of cost for children and young people and champion music education as a tool for the creative, intellectual and social development of young people - these are among many of the ambitious aims of Music Generation Wicklow.

Led by County Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council, over the next three years over 1,500 children and young people throughout the county will have increased access to music tuition and thousands more through other complementary music opportunities. A variety of programmes across a broad range of music practices will be provided to address the needs and gaps in music education in the county including:

• Instrumental and vocal tuition main hubs at three new locations in County Wicklow
• Access to instrument banks
• Music foundation courses and schools choir projects targeting rurally isolated schools
• Opportunities for young musicians to interact with high quality national and international musicians
• Residencies, master classes and ensemble playing opportunities

Fiona Hartley, CEO of County Wicklow VEC remarked that in a time of reduced opportunity it is a major achievement for County Wicklow to have access to a high quality initiative such as this. It will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a bright future for the young people of County Wicklow and we look forward to its implementation.

Arts Officer Jenny Sherwin commented that we have had a fantastic experience during the consultation phase; people have been so enthusiastic in support of our bid to get Wicklow MEP up and running and attract Music Generation funding. We hope to harness that energy and create a dynamic and indeed ambitious service for the county’s young people.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the donors, board and staff of Music Generation for their support and also to express our gratitude to all those who contributed to our success locally.