SoundOUT & Music Generation Cork City
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality. That is, vocal and instrumental tuition, encompassing all musical genres and all types of instruments and vocal styles, delivered by skilled professional musicians.
Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and local Music Education Partnerships.
In January 2011, SoundOUT was established by Dr Gráinne McHale in order to provide inclusive music opportunities in Cork City. In partnership with Music Generation Cork City, SoundOUT developed a range of inclusive youth music bands with various schools, including Terence MacSwiney, and in various community settings in the north side of Cork City.
Developing music programmes that are socially inclusive is a priority of Music Generation Cork City. Since 2012, SoundOUT facilitates inclusive music programmes for over 200 young people on a weekly basis, in partnership with Music Generation Cork City. SoundOUT students from Terence MacSwiney have performed in a wide range of local venues including Cork City Hall, Cork Opera House, UCC School of Music and Theatre, as well as performing in other counties and on RTE’s Elev8 programme.
The most recent international performance involved two SoundOUT students from Terence MacSwiney who travelled to Rome to perform for the Pope in the Sistine Chapel with ‘The Edge’ from U2.