U2’s brass gives kids first notes

Meet the rock stars of the future who are getting a helping hand from super-group U2.

These pupils from Greenmount NS in Cork are among hundreds of children who are set to benefit from a national music education project being funded by a €5m donation from Bono and his band mates, and a €2m contribution from the Ireland Funds.

It represents the largest ever single philanthropic donation to music education in the history of the state.

Details of the Music Networks’ Music Generation Ireland education programme to be rolled out in Cork City were announced yesterday.

The Music Generation Cork City scheme will see about €1.2m invested in music education for children across the city over the next three years.

Thanks to the project, pupils of Greenmount NS, previously involved in a pilot outreach programme involving the city’s famous Barrack St Band, have just taken delivery of new brass instruments.

Music Generation Cork City is one of six projects which have been established in the latest round of funding under the project.

Margaret O’Sullivan, co-ordinator of the Cork programme, said: “Involvement in music has been shown to have long-lasting positive effects for those who have the chance to take part.”