connect 2018 • 17 20partnerships across 22 cities and counties …and we’re growing! pioneering partnerships create inspiring musical encounters In December, 2017 more than 50 flautists from six different Music Generation partnerships gathered at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin for the first ever Music Generation ‘Galway Community Flute Day’. Over the course of the afternoon these aspiring young musicians ages 8 to 18 enjoyed the extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a masterclass with ‘The Man with the Golden Flute’, Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway. In advance of the masterclass the young flautists were set the task of rehearsing and refining a diverse and challenging repertoire of music, under the direction of local musician-educators. Rounding out the day with a flourish, each of the groups from counties Carlow, Laois, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Cork City then came together with Sir James and Lady Jeanne for an inspiring collaborative performance for their friends and families. For both the participants and their tutors, this remarkable chance to practice with and learn from two of the world’s most highly-esteemed musicians was truly transformative.