Course profile: MA in Irish traditional music performance

Institution: ???????????????????

How long has the course been running?

It's in its second year.

Why was it introduced?

There was a need for a course which concentrates on performance at master's level, according to course co-ordinator Sandra Joyce.

How many people admitted to the course?

Up to 15.

Course duration:

one year, full time.

Entry requirements:

a good first or second class honours degree. Candidates are auditioned and interviewed. "We're looking for people who combine high standards of performance with a willingness to learn and develop," Joyce says.

Why do people do the course? for a variety of reasons. Some are professional musicians who want to spend time developing their performance further. Others are primary and second-level teachers who go back and teach music. A number of students are taking a year out of other professions to do something they enjoy. According to Joyce, the course attracts students from all over the world. `It's truly international," she says. "We get a lot of applications and have to turn down a lot of people who don't meet the standards."

Course content:

repetoire, style and contextualised performance and traditional music practicum. In the practicum students work with visiting masters and also play in groups. There's an elective module, too. This gives students the chance to engage in self-directed learning on a project of their choice. "The academic content of the course is important," Joyce says. "We look at the history and context of traditional music. You can't study performance without taking these into account."

Cost:

£2,500 for EU students. £6,000 for non-EU students.

Contact:

Sandra Joyce or Niall Keegan, the Irish World Music Centre, UL. Tel: (061) 202565.