Music at UCDBMus and BA Programmes

2013-2014

Performance at UCDIn addition to its academic strengths, UCD boasts four ensembles: • TheSymphonyOrchestra,whichhas around90membersandperforms annuallyintheNationalConcert Hall. • ThePhilharmonicChoir,which comprises80members,and performstwiceannually. • TheChoralScholars,whichhaveanannual membershipof20. • TheGamelanEnsemble:theSchoolhousesa gamelan(thepercussionorchestraofJavaand Bali),oneofonlythreeinIreland.

Scholarships and international study opportunitiesAnumberofscholarshipsareofferedannuallyfortheOrchestraandChoralScholars.Inaddition,dedicatedsingersandinstrumentalistscanapplyforascholarshiponthePerformingArtsStrandoftheAdAstraAcademy,successfulapplicantstowhichareofferedaplacewithateacherattheRIAM.TheSchoolofMusicalsooperatesErasmusexchangeprogrammeswiththefollowinguniversities: • Ludwig-MaximiliansUniversität,Munich • CharlesUniversity,Prague • UniversitédeRouen

• CatholicUniversity,Leuven

Career pathwaysMusicgraduatesoftenpursuecareersin: • Journalism. • Teachingmusic. • Therecordingindustry. • Artsadministration. • Performanceorcomposition. • Academia,postgraduatestudy.Forgraduatestakingtheirstudyofmusicfurther,theSchoolofMusicoffersataughtfull-timeandpart-timeMasterofMusicology(MMus:pathwaysinMusicology,AnalysisorEthnomusicology),MLittandPhD.

Application proceduresApplicantstotheBMusapplythroughtheCAOsystem,coursecodeDN517.TheBMusisarestrictedapplicationcourse,meaningapplicantsmustapplybythe1stFebruaryCAOdeadline.ForinformationontheAdAstraScholarshipsgotohttp://www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/performingarts/

Further contact informationAdministratorUCDSchoolofMusicJ301NewmanBuildingUniversityCollegeDublinDublin 4IrelandT:+35317168178E:music@ucd.ie

www.ucd.ie/musicwww.ucd.ie/myucd/artsfacebook.com/UCDLife

Having studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and taught at King’s College, London, I came to UCD in 2001. Since then, I have had the opportunity to develop a wide range of modules, including what I believe is the only

integrated programme in music theory offered by an Irish university. Teaching at UCD continues to be a richly rewarding experience. It is a rare privilege to help nurture the next generation of musical scholars and performers.

ProfessorJulianHortonHeadofSchool

About the UCD School of MusicTheSchoolofMusicisoneofthemostwell-establisheduniversitymusicdepartmentsinIreland.Itisaninternationallyrenownedcentreformusicalresearch,andoffersinnovativeundergraduateandgraduateprogrammes.StaffholddegreesfromCambridge,Chicago,Brown,TCD,UCD,King’sCollegeLondon,HamburgandtheRIAM,andhaveresearchstrengthsindiverseareasofmusicology,musictheoryandanalysis,andethnomusicology.

Undergraduate pathways: the BA and BMus degreesYoucanstudymusicaspartofaBAJoint-HonoursDegreeorthroughthesingle-subjectBMusDegree.EntrythroughtheBADegreedependsonmeetingtheCAOpointsrequirement.EntrytotheBMusisthroughtheentrance test, whichfor2013takesplaceonSaturday 9th March.

Why choose the BMus degree?TheBMusoffersacomprehensiveuniversityeducationinmusicatoneofthecountry’sleadingthird-levelinstitutions.Youwillacquireathoroughgroundinginmusictheory,analysisandhistory,butalsohavetheopportunitytostudydiversesubjects,includingmusicandfilm,popularmusic,Irishtraditionalmusic,andthesociologyandphilosophyofmusic.TheBMusalsooffersperformanceopportunitiesinensembles (the choirs and orchestra) or as a soloist (in the recital).

Should I be concerned about the entrance test?No.Thetestisdesignedtoassesspotential,notjustexistingknowledge.Aboveall,wewanttoseeifyouhavetheabilitytobeaBMusstudent.Pasttestscanbefoundonourwebsiteatucd.ie/music/prospectivestudents/bmus.

Student TestimonialsOur time spent on the School of Music BMus programme in UCD has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience for us both. Members of the faculty are always supportive and approachable, with students benefiting from the smaller, more personable experience within the larger student setting. The BMus degree allowed us to explore a breath of scholarship from the three main research strands – Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Music Analysis – and, at the same time, afforded us the opportunity to focus our study on subjects that held particular interest for us. Throughout the academic year, seminars were given by distinguished music academics on a whole range of topics, and all students were invited and encouraged to attend. These events were something that we have always enjoyed, and they have been of great value to us.

We have had a fantastic time as members of the UCD Philharmonic Choir, part of the UCD Performing Groups, which also includes the UCD Symphony Orchestra, and the UCD Choral Scholars. Additionally, the many societies provided a great social outlet, particularly the Music Society that organised recitals, workshops, band performances, and Open Mic nights throughout the year.

The BMus degree offered a broad spectrum of modules, centred in a welcoming and open environment, among a close-knit student body that was both warm and friendly.

Having studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and taught at King’s College, London, I came to UCD in 2001. Since then, I have had the opportunity to develop a wide range of modules, including what I believe is

the only integrated programme in music theory offered by an Irish university. Teaching at UCD continues to be a richly rewarding experience. It is a rare privilege to help nurture the next generation of musical scholars and performers.

Professor Julian Horton Head of School

About the UCD School of Music

The School of Music is one of the most well-established university music departments in Ireland. It is an internationally renowned centre for musical research, and offers innovative undergraduate and graduate programmes. Staff hold degrees from Cambridge, Chicago, Brown, TCD, UCD, King’s College London, Hamburg and the RIAM, and have research strengths in diverse areas of musicology, music theory and analysis, and ethnomusicology.

Undergraduate pathways: the BA and BMus degrees

You can study music as part of a BA Joint-Honours Degree or through the single-subject BMus Degree. Entry through the BA Degree depends on meeting the CAO points requirement. Entry to the BMus is through the entrance test, which for 2013 takes place on Saturday 9th March. Why choose the BMus degree?

The BMus offers a comprehensive university education in music at one of the country’s leading third-level institutions. You will acquire a thorough grounding in music theory, analysis and history, but also have the opportunity to study diverse subjects, including music and film, popular music, Irish traditional music, and the sociology and philosophy of music. The BMus also offers performance opportunities in ensembles (the choirs and orchestra) or as a soloist (in the recital).

Should I be concerned about the entrance test?

No. The test is designed to assess potential, not just existing knowledge. Above all, we want to see if you have the ability to be a BMus student. Past tests can be found on our website at ucd.ie/music/prospectivestudents/bmus.

Student testimonials

Maddie

Simon

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Maddie Kavanagh-Clarke,Simon Nugent BMus Class of 2013

Maddie Kavanagh-Clarke, Simon Nugent

BMus Class of 2013