b'musicgeneration,theu2andirelandfunds supported national music education programme initiated by music network is now at the halfwaymark of the 5 year rollout plan. already, over5,000 children have participated and over 120employment opportunities have been created formusicians. today, choirs, orchestras, bands, rockschools, grupa ceoil, drumming troops and musiclabs, encompassing all styles of music, are beingestablishedthankstomusicgeneration.musicgenerationprovidesarangeofvocaland instrumentaltuitiontochildrenandyoung people 0-18 years. the vocal and instrumental tuitiontakesplaceinavarietyofsettings includingkindergarden,schools,community centres,artscentres,theatres,recording studios, rehearsal spaces and even on the street! A Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grantan extraordinaryshow of support for Music GenerationIn January 2013, Bank of America Merrill LynchHeres a snapshot of some of the highlights of the programmes throughtheBankofAmericaCharitable that have been unfolding across the country in recent months.Foundationannouncedanextraordinary$1m philanthropic donation to Music Generation. Thedonation, which forms part of The Ireland FundsCork City:Celebrating performance in style, Lullaby: A Tale of 2mfundraisingtargetfortheprogramme Two Cities was an ambitious collaboration between 200 young together with a 5m donation from U2, came asperformers from Cork and Dublin that produced magnificent Music Generation announced its expansion intogalaperformancesinpartnershipwithBallymunMusicfour new areas of the country. Oaly, Westmeath,Programme.HighlightsincludedperformancesofDara Carlow and Limerick City will benet from MusicOTooles Ballymun Lullabyby massed choir and orchestra and Generation. Peter Keegan, Country Executive fortheworldpremiereofnewlycommissionedChorcafaoi Ireland at Bank of America Merrill Lynch explainedshuan/CorkLullabies,allofwhichattractedcapacitythe decision behind the grant, We are delightedaudiencesbothliveandonline.Avarietyofvocalandto support this important initiative which will haveinstrumental tuition programmes are also in development. a real impact on the lives of young people in Irelandbyprovidinghighqualitytuition.Irish Laois: Arangeofnewtuitionprogrammeshavebeenmusical achievements have long been celebratedkickstarted in Laois, including stampede drumming, The the world over and we are proud to reinforce BankMusic Box (an inclusive programme for children with special of America Merrill Lynchs commitment to the artsneeds), choral, pipe, harp and brass tuition. The uileann pipe and education in Ireland, by nurturing the talentstuition is being run in partnership with Na Pobair Uileann, of a new generation. We look forward to workinga national organisation that supports access to pipe tuition with Music Generation as the programme devel-throughout Ireland. For children starting the tuition, new sets ops further throughout Ireland in 2013.of pipes were commissioned by a local pipe maker in Laois. connect 2013 | 45'