MUSICIANS in Clare are bidding to benefit from a multi-million euro education programme sponsored by rock legends U2.
Representatives from the Ennisbased music school Maoin Cheoil an Chláir and Clare VEC, along with members of local authorities and Shannon Development, are due to meet in the coming weeks to prepare Clare’s application for ‘Music Generation’ – the U2 and Ireland Funds supported national music education programme for young people.
An initial meeting between members of Clare’s artistic community took place last October, with further discussions taking place in the run up to Christmas.
According to Hans Boller, Director of Maoin Cheoil an Chláir, funds from the Music Generation programme, would allow more children throughout Clare to learn music.
He explained, “We would be getting a substantial amount of money from U2 to promote music education in Clare.
“The aim of the programme would be to reduce fees for music lessons and that would be a benefit to families.”
The programme, enabled by a € 5 million donation from U2 with a further € 2 million being raised by the Ireland Funds, gives children and young people across the country access to music education in their own communities.
The music education partnership model, developed by Music Network, has been successfully piloted in Donegal and Dublin.
Mr Boller added, “At the moment, it is Maoin Cheoil and Clare VEC but that has to be finalised. There would also be input from the town councils, county council and other government bodies like Shannon Development. We are waiting for music networks to finalise the application process. Then we will know what we need to do in the application.”
Funding for up to twelve Music Ed- ucation Partnerships will be awarded on a phased basis from 2011-2015, most likely in three locations at a time. Music Education Partnerships are eligible to apply for 50 per cent funding, up to a maximum of € 200,000 per annum over three years. The closing date for Round 1 applications is Thursday, March 31.
Music Generation will provide three-year seed funding to establish local services, which will be sustained by Music Education Partnerships on a long-term basis.