MA Classical String Performance

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Classical String Performance is a two-year full-time programme offering advanced string and keyboard tuition in violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano and harpsichord. The programme emphasizes solo playing, chamber music, ensemble playing, accompanying and encouraging interdisciplinary and collaborative projects with instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers from other degree programmes.

While maintaining the continuation of the well-known classical music traditions, the MA programme also aims to cater for the emerging needs of musicians entering into the global cultural life of the 21st century. Students also have the opportunity to expand their repertoire to explore studies in early music and in contemporary music, partaking in coaching sessions, classes, continuo lessons, workshops, and master classes that cover a variety of historical and contemporary performance practices.

Each year, students present one or more concerts with ACADEMOS, the programme’s primary performing ensemble. ACADEMOS performs as both a larger chamber orchestra, as a collegium, and in smaller chamber groups, at times on its own as well as in partnership with other degree programmes from the Irish World Academy, with members of the Academy’s faculty and with prestigious guest artists.  Previous concerts have included collaboration with members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, in residence at the University of Limerick.

The exceptionally high quality of teaching by distinguished, internationally-renowned faculty as well as the excellent facilities offered by the University of Limerick provides students with ideal conditions in which to prepare for professional life in classical music performance.

Visiting tutors have included Mihai Dancila (Italy), Debbie Diamond (UK), Isobel Faust (Germany), Mauricio Fuks (US), Hugh Maguire (UK), Duncan McTier (Switzerland), George Pauk (UK), Antonio Santos (Spain), Ana Yepes (France), and Ilse de Ziah (Ireland), as well as visiting ensembles such as the Fidelio Trio (Ireland), RTE Vanbrugh String Quartet (Ireland), Triantan Trio (Ireland) and the Xenia Ensemble (Italy). Extern examiners have been invited from the Academia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia (Rome), University of Arts (Berlin), Juilliard School (New York), and Royal College of Music (London).

Since the inception of the programme in 1998, students have enrolled in this programme from many parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Many of our graduates are employed in teaching positions up to third level in Ireland and in their respective countries, while others are now members of professional ensembles, such as the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Con Tempo String Quartet, Concerto Malaga, Gyor Philharmonic, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Kuala Lumpur Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Prague Chamber Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, and the Stradivari String Quartet.

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