A host of talented young songwriters and musicians from across the west ensured the perfect start as Galway unveiled a major new facility aimed at nurturing the stars of the future.

They were all members of the Music Generation Galway City, County and Roscommon programmes, on hand to officially open the new Music Centre for young people in Galway Community College featuring rehearsal room, recording studio and 250-seated auditorium!

The GCC Music Centre is a newly developed creative space for school performance, further education and training, secondary school music development, after-school lessons, rehearsal space, performance space and recording space for young people and families to engage in music from across Galway City and beyond.

The Music Generation Galway City programme has reached over 3,500 children and young people in over 50 locations including Galway City schools, youth centres and community organisations, providing them with access to instruments and tuition through a subsidised partnership-based approach.

CEO of the GRETB David Leahy – lead partner of Music Generation for Roscommon and Galway – said they were excited to see ‘this new development of a space for young people to perform and rehearse after school hours in Galway Community College’.

“Already over 300 young people are attending music clubs and small group lessons weekly,” he said.

“Monthly performances are happening in our 250-tiered performance space now with a new stage, lighting and sound system.  This is only the start of the potential for this space to grow and support the young community of talented musicians we are so fortunate to have in the beautiful city of Galway and across the western region,” he added.

Music Generation Galway City is a performance music education service for children and young people in Galway City that provides opportunities for children and young people to access a range of high quality, music experiences in their local area.

It is managed and supported locally by The Galway Roscommon Education and Training Boards, Galway City Council, Galway City Partnership, Foróige, Youth Work Ireland and Involve. For more information on the programmes available or to sign up for music lessons and music youth clubs, visit: musicgenerationgalwaycity.ie

Next Wednesday, May 10, the school will host an event that encourages people of all ages to engage with music in a social setting.

There will be opportunities for people to perform prepared music, or to simply come and listen to others – an open mic day of sorts. There will also be performances by students of GCC and a few groups of singers from around Galway.

You can register to attend HERE 

(Photo: Thomas Sweeney from Galway Community College performing on the opening night)