connect 2018 • 15 This exciting new chapter for Ireland’s national music education program was made possible through the ongoing philanthropic investment of U2 and The Ireland Funds, who together donated €6.3m towards Music Generation’s second phase. Five of the new areas have already commenced planning for roll-out, with a further four expected to get underway later in 2018. What’s more, the sustainability of these new partnerships will be safeguarded into the future through matched funding which has been commit- ted by national government and local partners. To date the achievements and impact of Music Generation have been extraordinary. Across the 11 partnerships established since its inception in 2010, 41,000 children and young people are currently receiving access to high-quality music tuition in their locality each year. This next phase is set to broaden that reach significantly as well as creating a substantial number of employment opportunities for professional musicians in each area. Ireland’s musical future is bright as this remarkable programme continues to inspire and nurture its next ‘music generation’. In September 2017 Music Generation unveiled the new cities and counties that will receive funding to take part in its next phase, further enriching the landscape for music education in Ireland. The nine new partnerships selected for participation – Cavan/Monaghan, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (County Dublin), Gal- way City, Galway County, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford – will bring the total number of Music Generation areas to 22.