b'Louth: With the opening of five new tuition centres in Co.Louth, new county junior orchestra and traditional music ensemble programmes are now established. These groupsprovideaperformanceplatformforthecountysyoung musicians to get together and have fun making music. The ex-citing fledgling junior orchestra made its debut performancein December 2012 while the traditional music ensemble haslots of exciting performances planned for spring 2013. Mayo: One of the ways in which access to music education issupportedinCo.Mayoisthroughanextensive county instrument bank open to children and young people.Through the local library service, a range of instruments areavailable - everything from fiddles to flutes, double basses anddrumstoconcertinasandclarinets!And,oncethe instruments are accessed, children and young people can signup for tuition in new centres now open within the county orbook into a fully kitted-out state-of-the-art rehearsal roomin their local arts centre! Sligo: NurturingthenextgenerationofIrelandsyoung composers is among the exciting programmes unfolding inCo. Sligo. A group of 6 young composers aged between 1216arecurrentlyworkingwithprofessionalcomposerBrianIrvineinthecreationofanewvocalandinstrumental composition which will be given its world premiere perform-ance by children and young people during Autumn 2013. Wicklow:One way in which access to music is being developedin Co. Wicklow is through a range of programmes in primaryschools. Currently, 30 schools are participating in foundation,choral and instrumental programmes facilitated by an expertteam of musicians. One such school recently took stock of arange of brass, wind and string instruments and soon, new ensembles will be formed. Massed choral performances areplanned for summer 2013 which will see young singers from anumberofparticipatingschoolscomingtogetherfora spectacular choral celebration.Carlow, Limerick City, Offaly and Westmeath are the mostrecent areas of the country to have joined the programme.Among the exciting programmes to be developed over the nextthree years are county choirs and orchestras, collaborationsbetween professional performers and young people, excitingcommissions and lots more.MusicGenerationhasalsocommencedatwo-year Research Partnership with St. Patricks College Drumcondra -Developing Diversity in Music Education in Irelandthe findingsof which will inform future development and sustainability ofthe programme. connect 2013 | 46'