To the outside Cork would seem to do very well when it comes to music – it’s associated with many famous names in the musical world, from Sean O Riada to the Frank & Walters, John Spillane to Cara O’Sullivan, and many others. At academic level music is well catered for, with diploma and degree courses offered at CIT Cork School of Music & UCC.

But Cork, like many other cities, is divided and the area where you are born defines your opportunities – this is as true of music as it is of life in general. Despite this, in small pockets in the most unlikely of settings, across the northside of Cork, something magical is happening – in a prefab in Knocknaheeny, in a primary school in the Glen, in Cope Foundation in Mayfield, children are being taught a variety of musical instruments and it’s causing quite a stir.

It’s this type of activity we want to see happening in all areas of the city, especially in RAPID areas – and a new scheme, the brainchild of U2, offers Cork the chance to do this. RAPID is a government scheme aimed at improving the quality of life of people living in disadvantaged areas – the letters stand for Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment & Development.

            U2 has donated €5m in an effort to give other young people the opportunity they had to learn to play instruments when they attended Mount Temple on the northside of Dublin. This national music education initiative Music Generation was announced in 2009 by U2, together with the Ireland Funds and Music Network, and is supported by the Department of Education and Skills.

It’s the intention of Music Generation through Music Education Partnerships to deliver new opportunities for vocal and instrumental tuition for young people and to raise the profile of Music Education in Ireland. In order to apply for funding under the scheme, a Music Education Partnership (MEP) has been formed in Cork City.

The Cork City Music Education Partnership believes in the right of every child to have the opportunity to learn music. If its application is successful it will set up programmes where gaps exist, where little or no instrumental or vocal tuition is available for young people. Classes, courses & performance opportunities will be offered to young people from pre-school age to 18. They will take place in a variety of settings – in crèches, schools, community centres, youth projects.

Members of the Steering Group of the Cork MEP are: Cork City Council, Cork VEC, UCC, CIT, the HSE, Cork Academy of Music, Cork Music Works, Togher Music Project, Barrack Street Band, 1st Band of the Southern Brigade, Comhaltas, Togher Music Project, Secondary and Primary school representatives.