Contributing to young peoples’ personal development within a vibrant music community
Kids Ceol
(National School Music Enrichment Programme)
Music Generation Clare offer a 25 week Music Enrichment Programme. The aim of this programme is to compliment, but not replace, the national school music curriculum through active music making in the classroom. The artists in residence will help to enrich the musicianship of the school.
This programme can also be delivered digitally by our expert Musician Educator’s.
Teens’ Ceol
(Secondary School Artist-in-Residence Programme)
This workshop is suitable for all students with or without musical backgrounds. This 10 week programme works around the schools timetables. This inclusive, collaborative workshop offers 5 different strands which the most suitable can be chosen: music composition, music technology and performance, Music and Wellbeing and a day trip to work in the MGCE state of the art recording studio in Ennis; encouraging interpersonal activities where social skills are developed through the sharing of ideas, skills and instruments.
Youthreach Programme
This on-going weekly workshop occurs with the learners in Youthreach throughout County Clare.
The basis of the workshop is to provide young people with an understanding of how a song is composed, both lyrically and musically. Essentially, the workshop explores the importance and craft of song-writing, and the benefits of engaging with music in a positive, supportive environment.
We work in collaboration with East, West and Ennis Youthreach centres as well as Clare Youth Service
Instrumental Tuition Hubs
(Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Shannon)
These hubs are now established in Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilkee, Killaloe, Shannon and digitally running from Sept – May annually.
- Instruments taught are Concertina, Harp, Violin/Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Ukulele, Music Technology and Production, Songwriting, Singing, Rap, Bodhrán, Accordion, Piano, Keyboards and much more.
- These classes are in a group format.
- 30 minute sessions.
ICO
(Irish Concertina Orchestra)
Music Generation Clare are very proud to have produced the first ever concertina orchestra. With learners travelling from all around the country to attend, this extremely popular programme shines a spot light on a talented ensemble of young musicians in one of our most popular instruments.
This once in a lifetime opportunity gives learners a chance to work with NOTIFY & Jim Murray, Bill Whelan, Cormac McCarthy and the MGCE Concert Orchestra for 2023-24.
Musician educators on this programme are Karen McMahon, Cillian King, Sinead Mulqueen and Conor O’Loughlin with a blended learning approach using a combination of zoom and classroom classes and rehearsals.
To apply, click on link below. Send your 30 second audition video to fiona.mcgrath@lcetb.ie naming the video as applicants name. The full schedule of dates are available on the application link.
Harp Ensemble
The MGCE Harp ensemble is one of the most popular ensembles in Music Generation Clare with regular high profile performances both locally and nationally.
In the past the Harp Ensemble has performed at the All Ireland Fleadh’s, events in Laois, for Clare Co. Co. and annually as part of national Harp day.
Music Generation Clare have a number of harps available for rental providing accessible music performance education opportunities on one of Ireland’s most beloved instruments.
Senior Trad Groups
MGCE run a number of senior trad groups where experienced teens get together weekly on a Tuesday to work under the guidance of Tara Breen and Conor O’Loughlin.
The musical approaches are rooted in composition and arrangement where learners will work on self composition followed by arrangement of those compositions.
This group will perform at different events throughout the year as well as record their music in our state of the art recording studio in our Ennis campus. This recording will be released to the public at the end of the year.
Junior Trad Groups
Our Junior Trad group is made up of a a number of younger musicians who meet weekly on Tuesday’s in our Ennis campus. These classes are led by Tara Breen and Conor O’Loughlin where the teach the learners Irish traditional music with emphasis on group playing.
Classes are planned towards inclusive group performance which can help young learners to increase confidence and a community feel through music. There are performance opportunities throughout the year.
Music Technology & Production
Music Generation Clare offer tuition in Music Production and Technology. This is done through access to our brand new state of the art recording and production studio. Learn to record, mix, master and produce your own music just like many of the famous musicians. This programme offers a great understanding of the processes required which will also help learners decide if they wish to continue this strand of musical creativity into third level education.
The creative studio is also available for hire with a professional engineer for musicians wishing to record, mix or master their music in a state of the art environment. It can also double up as a rehearsal space available for hire.
The Creative Hubs
(Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, and Shannon)
These sessions are currently free of charge which means it is truly accessible to all.
Teenagers from all backgrounds come together to create music and appreciate the process and skills involved.
Through song writing, music technology and recording, the creative sessions enable young people to explore alternative ways of communicating and encourages ideas that are personal and inventive. This promotes capability and adaptability. Creative artistic expression is valued and self-esteem is enhanced through spontaneity of projects and risk taking.
These experiences help the participant to make sense of the world; to question; to speculate and to find solutions; to deal with feelings and respond to them.
Music Tech For Teens
This programme is for Secondary schools where our expert musician educators travel to schools around the county teaching learners the basic skills for music technology and production.
MGCE provide the laptops, DAWs, Software and microphones for each class. This fun packed programme offers great variety in its learnings and is built around problem solving, creativity, group work and basic mathematical skills.
North & East Clare Strings
This 25 week programme is designed specifically for national school students attending schools in the North & East Clare areas. It runs from September to May annually. All sessions take place within your own school and during school time.
Violin tuition has an emphasis on participatory learning and interactive group playing. The creative element is tailored towards what young learners wish to achieve.
Instruments are available for rental through MGCE meaning its truly accessible for all at an affordable cost.
Recording Studio Day Trip
Our state of the art recording studio is available for a school day trip. Learners can attend a workshop tailored to your timetable where students will work with our expert technician in setting up their own microphones, recording their own voices or instruments and edit, mix and master the final audio.
For experienced musical classes, they can come in and record a song or a piece of music which they can leave with fully mixed offering a lifelong memory.
Level 5 Music Performance
(QQi Level 5 award in music)
The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work independently and under supervision as a practitioner in the music industry and or to progress to further and or higher education and training.
This course is fulltime, however it is family friendly as holidays and class times are in keeping with post-primary school holidays. All course materials are provided.
Applicants can register as PLC or VTOS depending on their individual circumstances.
For VTOS eligible applicants, there are no fees. There is a meal, travel allowance and childcare supports for eligible learners. VTOS learners may complete the course over 2 years.
For PLC applicants, the registration fee is payable (without exemption) and the exam fee may be payable (exemption for medical card). PLC applicants may be eligible for Back to Education or Susi Grant.
We had been looking for some time for a way to get involved in an initiative in music education in Ireland. After talking to various people in Ireland about what to do, we came to the conclusion that the Music Network scheme is really well thought out and that we, in partnership with the Ireland Funds, should just get behind it