Music Generation Beneficiary of $1m Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grant

Music Generation(Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Fund), in partnership with The American Ireland Funds, today announced it is the beneficiary of a $1m grant from Bank of America Merrill Lynch through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Music Generation is Ireland’s national music education programme initiated by Music Network and enabled by a €7m philanthropic donation from U2 (€5m) and The American Ireland Funds (€2m) that provides access to subsidised high-quality music education for children and young people. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grant forms part of The American Ireland Fund’s €2m fundraising target for the programme.

Peter Keegan, Country Executive for Ireland at Bank of America Merrill Lynch explained the decision behind the grant, “We are delighted to support this important initiative which will have a real impact on the lives of young people in Ireland by providing high quality tuition. Irish musical achievements have long been celebrated the world over and we are proud to reinforce Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s commitment to the arts and education in Ireland, by nurturing the talents of a new generation. We look forward to working with Music Generation as the programme develops further throughout Ireland in 2013.”

The $1m grant comes as Music Generation announces its expansion into a further four areas of the country: Offaly, Westmeath, Carlow and Limerick city. These areas now join forces with the other local Music Education Partnerships currently established in Cork City, Laois, Louth, Mayo, Sligo and Wicklow. The Partnerships work with Music Generation and co-fund a range of subsidised music tuition for children and young people. To date over 5,000 children have received tuition through the programme that provides employment opportunities for some 120 music tutors across the six counties.

Kieran McLoughlin, President & CEO, The Worldwide Ireland Funds said, “Bank of America Merrill Lynch has shown tremendous commitment to the development of the arts in Ireland.  This magnificent gift will benefit young people and communities across Ireland at a time when philanthropy counts most. We are delighted to be in partnership with U2 and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in unlocking the musical talents of the next generation.”

As Music Generation prepares to expand into a further four areas, providing thousands more children with access to music education, Music Generation Chairman Tony Ó Dálaigh said, “The Board of Music Generation and our local partners throughout the country are particularly grateful to U2, The American Ireland Funds and Bank of America Merrill Lynch for the extremely generous donations that have allowed Music Generation become the organisation it is. Quite simply, without their investments Music Generation would not be happening and we view this grant as a further endorsement of this unique music programme.”

http://www.musicgeneration.ie/