MUSIC GENERATION SLIGO: Opening the Door to Music in Sligo

The Music Generation Sligo Music Education Initiative was established in June 2011 and runs for three years to June 2014.

It aims to open the door to performance music education for every one of Sligo’s 16500 children and young adults under the age of 18.

This is to be achieved through the partnership of the professional music community in Sligo, the education sector and the arts and culture sector and specifically by investing in a range of services a programmes to engage children with music in a fun and exciting way.

Music Generation Sligo is funded by Music Generation: A Music Network Initiative funded by U2 and the Ireland Funds, Sligo VEC, Sligo County Council, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo County Childcare Committee, the Department of Environment and Local Government and the music education community in Sligo.

Vision

Through partnership, develop the local music education system and provision to ensure that every child and young adult in Sligo has access to a high quality, active performance music education service.

Aim

The overall aim of MGS is to provide choice of access to children and young adults in Sligo to performance music education services.

The History

MGS programmes have been designed to ensure access and social inclusion, to counter educational disadvantage,to facilitate increased choice of access to the range of music education services and activities available in County Sligo, to create jobs and to develop partnerships.

Pre-2007: Track History

• Pioneering exciting projects, programmes and partnerships – PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
• Music education – elemental in Sligo arts development
• Strong professional music community – wide ranging activity – local, regional, national and  international connectivity.

2007: Sligo Music Education Partnership (SMEP) Established 

• Sligo Arts Service, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo VEC, Musicians and Teachers. Also National Advisory.
• ‘Live Music in the Classroom’(LMIC) introduced to primary schools.
• Ongoing links with county wide music activity.

2008 – 2010 : Ongoing Development & Review 

• Development Proposal -  LMIC (2007)

• “Knowing the Score” (2009)
• “Sligo Music Review [Festivals] (2009)
• “Sligo Music Report 2010”
• Sligo Music Education Partnership – Development Plan 2011-2014

2011 – 2014

MGS has devised six key programmes with the first four underway in Autumn 2011. The programmes are to be rolled-out on a phased basis across the county between 2011 and 2014.

The programmes are subsidised but a full roll-out is contingent on local match funding and sponsorship. Music Generation Sligo is most grateful to our partners for the investment in the initiative.

Music Generation Sligo is for everyone

• Children and Young Adults in Sligo
• Professional Music Community
• Public and Private Service providers
• The General Public

MUSIC GENERATION SLIGO SUMMARY

• Five Core Centres – North, South, East, West & Centre Sligo
• Synchronised with current education, youth and community, and music services
• Satellite services of the initiative will be managed from these centres
• Music Generation Sligo has devised 6 key programme elements for delivery between 2011 and 2014