connect 2017 • 15 This combined investment in ‘Phase 2’ of Music Genera- tion will include donations from the proceeds of U2’s The Joshua Tree Tour 2017, as well as donations previously raised for Music Generation through the band’s iNNO- CENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour in 2015, alongside further philanthropic investment by The Ireland Funds. A grant from Bank of America, through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, forms part of The Ireland Funds’ investment in this second phase of Music Generation. The ‘first phase’ of the program was seed-funded through a €7m philanthropic donation by U2 and The Ireland Funds in 2009. Moreover, this next phase of Music Generation has been assured of long-term sustainability following a com- mitment by the Irish Government, through the Depart- ment of Education and Skills, to co-fund the new areas into the future, together with Local Music Education Part- nerships. Speaking of this milestone achievement for music education in Ireland, U2’s Edge said: ‘This is a really im- portant moment for Music Generation. Our ambition is for every child and young person in Ireland to have ac- cess to tuition and this next phase of expansion brings us ever closer. Huge thanks to both the Government and The Ireland Funds for their ongoing commitment to a pro- gramme of which we, as a band, are immensely proud.’ Chairman of The Ireland Funds America, John Fitz- patrick, commented that: ‘We are delighted that Music Generation has reached this latest milestone. It has been our privilege to support this outstanding project for the last 7 years and to see it unlock the talent of 41,000 young people across Ireland. Its success is a tribute to the creativity of our young people and the generosity of our donors.’ Kieran McLoughlin, Worldwide President and CEO, The Ireland Funds, said: ‘Music Generation is a won- derful Public Philanthropic Partnership making a huge difference to hundreds of communities. We are most grateful to Bank of America for joining U2, ourselves and Government in bringing this great project to thousands more children across Ireland. We look forward to working with Government to build upon the remarkable success of the programme to date.’ In July of 2017, Music Generation announced that it will expand into nine new areas of Ireland between 2017 and 2021, thanks to the ongoing support of U2 and The Ireland Funds who together will have raised a total of €6.3m for the program’s second phase.