Music Generation has announced the programme for its national conference, which will take place on Tuesday 5 March in the Hibernia Suite in Dublin Castle.

Beginning with registration and networking from 9am, the conference sessions begin at 10am with an introduction from Leo Blennerhassett, Chairperson of the Music Generation Board. This will be followed by an opening address from the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD.

The first session of the day is titled ‘Music Generation in Context: Culture, Counter-culture, Culture…’ and will commence with a keynote from Martin Drury, marking 20 years since the original Music Network feasibility study that led to the establishment of Music Generation. There will also be contributions from Rosaleen Molloy, National Director, Sharon Rollston, CEO of Music Network, Siobhán Gallagher, Ireland Director of the Ireland Funds, and Celeste O’Callaghan, Principal Officer, CAP Unit, Department of Education. The session will be chaired by Dr Méabh Ní Fhuartháin of University of Galway.

The second session, beginning at 11.45am, is titled ‘We are Music Generation! Hear our stories’ and will feature live performances and reflections from students of Music Generation, and a panel of artists and educators including Cillian McSweeney, Caoimhe Barry and Boris Hunka.

Session three, titled ‘Perspectives on Quality and Artistry in Performance Music Education’, will feature a keynote from Dr Patricia Flynn of Dublin City University and a panel including a number of Music Generation educators. The session will be chaired by Margaret O’Sullivan.

The final session will feature a live performance from the Donegal Music Education Partnership, a closing address by Dr Ní Fhuartháin, closing remarks by Rosaleen Molloy, and a collaborative performance by Music Generation Waterford, the Cabin Studio, Music Generation Cork City, and Music Generation Wexford Yellow Bellows.

There is no charge to attend the Music Generation National Conference. To book a place, visit https://bit.ly/3TcBDkm. To view the full schedule, see below.