b'musicgenerationcarlowhasjustlaunchedits first county-wide Instrument Bank. With the assistance of three local libraries (Carlow, Borris and Tullow), children and young people can borrow a musical instrument. The instruments on offerinclude cello, double bass, trombone, trumpet, violin, viola, concert flute, saxophone, clarinet, ukulele, guitar, bodhrn, concertina and Over 2,000 children and young people are currently participat-accordion. ing inmusic generation offaly/westmeathsmusicgenerationlimerickcity hashada programs and initiatives across the midlands. One of this years highlights were performances by participants at the sold outparticularlybusyyearwithaspecialprogramtomark Electric Picnic music festival in Stradbally.LimericksdesignationasIrelandsfirstNationalCityofCulture. The Mus Gen Express Bus, a mobile performance space, musicgenerationclarewas officially launched in recording studio and outside festival stage, has generated huge November last year, with a special concert of young musicians attention and provided an opportunity for thousands of youngperforming alongside Music Generation Clares patron, Maura peopletoperformandrecordtheirownmusic.Limerick OConnell. Over 700 children are already participating in theVoices, a special Music Generation and Arts Council Partnership EscalationsingingprogramwithaseriesofconcertsandProgramme featuring young songwriters working with estab- performances scheduled over the coming months. lished artists including Delorentos and Noel Hogan (guitarist andsongwriter of The Cranberries), culminated in a special live eventOne of the more recent Partnerships,music generation at the Limerick School of Art and Design.south dublinalready has over 500 children and young people participating through a program of band/ensemble, choral development and music technology workshops. Music Generation South Dublin also launched its Instrument Purchase Scheme to enable young ensembles, school bands, youth groups/clubs and youth bands to purchase a wide range of musical instruments. keep up to date on whats happening in music generation by following us on twitter (@mus_gen) or facebook. www.musicgeneration.ieconnect2015 | 34'