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South Dublin students take centre stage at national Music Generation Forum

Earlier this month, on Wednesday 10 April an ensemble of young musicians participating in the Music Generation South Dublin programme captivated guests at the Music Generation 'Local Music Education Partnership (LMEP) Networking and Information Sharing Forum', held in the Department of Education and Skills.

The ensemble, featuring a choir and instrumentalists, was made up of secondary school students from Firhouse Community College and Killinarden Community School. On the day they performed two of their original compositions, ‘The Hills’ and ‘Brother. Sister,’ directed and accompanied by musician Ewan Cowley. Both compositions are a result of a vocal commission as part of the ‘South Dublin Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022,’ led by Music Generation South Dublin with funding from Creative Ireland and South Dublin County Council Arts Office. Together with composer Joe Csibi, the young people are working to create a ‘signature sound for the county.’

Before taking to the stage the group found time for a few photos to mark the occasion...

These exceptional young musicians were invited to perform as ‘Music Generation Young Ambassadors’ at this Forum, which brought together LMEP members from across Ireland who play a vital role in the ongoing development of Music Generation nationally. It provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of partnerships in Music Generation and the roles and responsibilities of LMEP members in driving Music Generation programmes across the country.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh, T.D. was present on the day to address delegates at the event and enjoy the young musicians’ performance.

Following the performance, Music Generation Development Officer for South Dublin Aideen McLaughlin said: ‘It was an incredible honour for Music Generation South Dublin to be chosen to perform at the Department of Education and Skills last week. This special Vocal Commission, written in collaboration between four local schools and renowned Irish composer Joe Csibi, will hopefully create a ‘signature sound’ for South Dublin County. The Vocal Commission has really added value to our post-primary vocal programme as well as to other existing teen music programmes that we offer. The students involved have forged new friendships through the process and have been given the opportunity to perform in venues where they may not otherwise have had the opportunity. As Music Development Officer of the programme I am excited to hear the final commission when it is launched in September 2019.’

The group previously performed for Heads of Mission and global leaders at the ‘Global Ireland 2025: Making it Happen’ conference hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in January.

The vocal commission is set to culminate with a performance of the work in its entirety by the young musicians in September.

Music Generation South Dublin is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and the Department of Education and Skills and locally by South Dublin Music Education Partnership, led by South Dublin County Council in partnership with Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, South Dublin County Libraries and Dublin West Education Centre.

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