Dear Friends,

Spring is in the air at Music Generation. From Trim to Tralee, Castlebar to Castleblayney and everywhere in between young musicians are sprouting up on stages. It's bloomin' brilliant! And while we may have used a few too many springtime puns, we just couldn't resist! 

We have a host of heartwarming, exciting and delightful stories and news to share. 

Did you hear about Aslan's Billy McGuinness sending a thank you message to the young performers at Music Generation Cork City? It was really sweet! And if you're into youth music, you'll definitely want to check out our updates. They're so exciting, you'll be booking your next gig tickets in no time. 

If you stick around and scroll to the end, you’ll get a sneak peek of our St Patrick’s Festival programme and RTÉ News feature (more about that later this month).  

So, onto our first story “A gift to Christy Dignam from Music Generation Cork City”. We hope you love this one as much as we do!  

Stories

A gift to Christy Dignam from Music Generation Cork City

Children and young people from School of the Divine Child at the Lavanagh Centre and Scoil Ursula in Blackrock are the STARS of this special rendition of Aslan’s hit Crazy World. Joining forces to create this beautiful music video the young performers hope to bring a smile to Christy Dignam, his family, Aslan and the entire nation with their performance.  

We are immensely proud and filled with admiration for everyone involved in this heartening collaboration. The message of friendship, solidarity, and support that the young performers aim to convey through LÁMH sign language is truly remarkable. 

While learning the beloved Aslan classic Crazy World in their weekly sessions with Music Generation Cork City the children were mesmerised by Christy’s use of his hands and arm gestures as he performs.  

Blending singing and LÁMH sign language into one performance of Aslan's Crazy World was manifested by musician educator and performing artist Clodagh Kearney. A devoted Aslan fan, Clodagh has supported the iconic band in Cyprus Avenue with fellow musician educator Stephen Manning. The duo, along with musician Tomas McCarthy, perform as the band Fire & Water. 

"We have always found Christy to be uncommonly kind over the years opening for him and encountering him, and the kids are absolutely loving Aslan music the last few years"

Shortly after the online release of the video, with the hope that it would somehow reach Christy Dignam, the Music Generation Cork City team and the young performers were overjoyed to receive a personal response from Aslan's Billy McGuinness. Billy confirmed that the video had indeed reached Christy, and he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved for the truly thoughtful and touching gesture. 

You can watch Billy McGuinness' video response to the young performers here, and see for yourself just how much their performance meant to him and the entire Aslan family. 

This stunning version of Crazy World was recorded by Alex Pacino Brady, and the accompanying video was created by Seán Downey (@swaniguess).

The project was coordinated by Clodagh Kearney, and was made possible with the support of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Funds via the Community Foundation for Ireland. 

#MusicGeneration Youth Music Scene

Jam @ The Royal is back with a bang this April with Music Generation Waterford. The three-day jam session takes place in the Theatre Royal this Easter. Young musicians interested in starting a band, jamming with friends or hosting a live gig are invited to sign up now.  

Also this Easter, Music Generation Waterford will host a song writers’ residential weekend in Woodstown, Waterford.  Second level young creatives will have the chance to switch off from the world and immerse themselves in creating new music on this two-night retreat. 

Participants will attend workshops and creative sessions, develop song writing skills, take part in open mic night and have the opportunity to share their original work at the Sunday soapbox. Special guest artist will be announced shortly.

Follow Music Generation Waterford for the latest updates.  

Last month, the 3-piece youth rock band Totem from Music Generation Roscommon performed at The Courtyard Market located on the grounds of King House Boyle. The young band just dropped a teaser promo video for their upcoming single, "Anew". This single will be part of a three-track EP which is scheduled for release later this year. We can't wait to hear it! Watch the promo video here.

Staying West, Music Generation Mayo have launched Friday Fret Frenzy, a new ten-week bass and guitar bootcamp led by professional musicians in Castlebar’s Music West. Kick your string bends, slides and vibrato into shape! Sign up now if you're out wesht. 

#NewMusic Alert! SubSounds Class of 2023 Album Launch will take place on April 15th 2023 at 1:30pm in Dublin music venue The Sugar Club.  

This will be the first of six new releases this year from the Tallaght-based youth music collective which is part of Music Generation South Dublin.  

You can catch their recent Windmill Lane reel on Instagram and check out the SubSounds podcast, where young musicians talk to host Ciara Dalton about their favourite songs, dream gigs and experience on the SubSounds programme.  

Music Generation Wexford Youth Opera Project

Introducing Music Generation Wexford's Youth Opera Project. Watch the first workshop in action and hear from the young composers, songwriters and opera singers in the short video below.  

"I really like songwriting. It’s almost like the reward is the song. You can sing it and it’s something to be proud of"

Music @ Mount Leinster 2023 with Music Generation Carlow

After a 2-year hiatus over 100 young musicians from Music Generation Carlow, Cork City, Laois, Mayo, Roscommon and Waterford, came together in the charming village of Borris for Music @ Mount Leinster 2023. The festival is a celebration of traditional Irish music which brings groups of young musicians from across Ireland together with leading professionals for a week of workshops, ensemble rehearsals, seisiúns, masterclasses and performances.  

The Gala Concert showcased performances from seven different trad groups including  Reelig from Music Generation Carlow,  Music Generation Mayo partner Bofield CCE and Creative Tradition with Music Generation Cork City.  

Hear Reelig perform at the festival here in a tweet from Borris Vocational School.