Music Generation Development Officers Appointed in Cavan/Monaghan and Mayo

Music Generation, together with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) and Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) is delighted to announce the appointments of Mairéad Duffy and Laurie Barrett as Music Development Officers for Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan and Music Generation Mayo respectively.

Music Generation is Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills, and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs).

In their new posts, Mairéad and Laurie will have responsibility for developing and managing affordable and accessible performance music education programmes for children and young people ages 0 to 18 in their localities. This will include the coordination of music tuition services within the counties, working in partnership with schools, community music groups and centres in the formation of choirs, ensembles, multi-genre performance initiatives, and more.

Mayo was one of the earliest areas of Ireland selected for participation in Music Generation’s first phase, in 2011. Cavan/Monaghan is one of the nine new areas which were selected for participation in the programme’s second phase in September 2017. ‘Phase 2’ was made possible as a result of philanthropic donations by U2 and The Ireland Funds, and through the commitments of the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships to co-fund the initiatives on a long-term, lasting basis. Programming is already well underway in five of these ‘Phase 2’ areas (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway County, Leitrim, Waterford and Wexford). Mairead will now undertake a focussed phase of planning in Cavan/Monaghan, building towards programme roll-out later in 2019.

An Honours Graduate of the University of Ulster, Mairéad Duffy (Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan) is a sought-after vocal coach, leader and musical director. She has previously performed in prestigious venues including at Carnegie Hall and is a past chair of TOSINI - Teachers of Singing in Ireland. She is also a successful recording artist and released her debut album as a singer songwriter in 2016 with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Laurie Barrett (Music Generation Mayo) holds a BMus 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. Laurie 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 Laurie 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.

Locally, Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan is managed by Cavan/Monaghan MEP, led by CMETB in partnership with Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council. Music Generation Mayo is managed locally by Mayo MEP, led by MSLETB in partnership with Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Mayo Education Centre.