Edge backs music course to create next generation of stars

The Edge admires 10 year old Chris Farrell's beanie hat at the Department of Education  at the announcement of a funding initiative by the Department of Education, the U2 and Ireland Funds, supported by National Music Education Programme for Music Generation to develop music education in Ireland.

U2 guitar legend The Edge has praised the work of education programme Music Generation for making music a must among young people.

The Edge said: "Over the years, there has been a tendency for music not to be the top priority, but the great thing about Music Generation is that it's putting it back where it needs to be."

Explaining why he chose to help when U2 rarely its name publicly to such initiatives, "I think we felt this was something that would be enhanced by the association. In most cases it isn't, so it's not appropriate, in this case we really wanted to put our name to it, we feel strongly about this."

The Edge pictured with Siofra Marum (9) from Portlaoise at the Department of Education  at the announcement of a funding initiative by the Department of Education, the U2 and Ireland Funds, supported by National Music Education Programme for Music Generation to develop music education in Ireland

He was launching 'Developing Diversity in Music Education in Ireland' - a new two-year partnership between St Patrick's College, and Music Generation, which is the national music education programme funded by U2 and the Ireland Funds and local agencies).

Based at the Music Department of St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, under the principal investigator Dr Patricia Flynn, the new research programme will provide valuable information about music eduction in Ireland in order to address a knowledge gap in this area.

Tony O'Dalaigh, chairman of Music Generation, said: "The initiation of the research partnership marks and important milestones in the evolution of Music Generation, the impact of which will inform and shape long-term development and sustainability."

Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, and U2 manager, Paul McGuinness and The Edge pictured with from left, Aisling Page (13) from Portlaoise, 14 year old Kgomotso Ngwenya from Portlaoise, Siofra Marum (9), Portlaoise and Tiernan Marum (10) from Portlaoise at the Department of Education  at the announcement of a funding initiative by the Department of Education, the U2 and Ireland Funds, supported by National Music Education Programme for Music

Established in 2009, Music Ireland helps young people and children access high-quality subsidised music education in their area.

- Ken Sweeney

http://www.independent.ie
http://www.musicgeneration.ie/