FAQ regarding the BA in Irish Music & Dance
1)
- Q: Can a complete beginner do this course? or …I am a classical/jazz/country/pop/rock musician (or a ballet / contemporary / hip hop etc. dancers) and have an interest in traditional Irish music (or dance), although I have never actually played it. Can I do the course?
- A: You need to have some experience in performing traditional Irish music before embarking on this course. It then depends on your performance at the audition.
2)
- Q: Do I have to sing, dance and play music to do the course?
- A: No. You need to show proficiency in one area. If you have skills in more than one area this will be accommodated.
3)
- Q: Do musicians and dancers follow the same course?
- A: Musicians and dancers are streamed to suit their performance needs. Academically they study the same subjects.
4)
- Q: What do dancers study that is specific to them?
- A: Body awareness and dance technique, body conditioning, yoga, ensemble work and of course various forms of dancing with an emphasis on Irish dance.
5)
- Q: What do musicians study that is specific to them?
- A: Keyboard skills, ear / notation / theory (incl. composition and arrangement – these areas are also studied by dancers so they can go on to train as secondary school music teachers), ensemble work etc
6)
- Q: What can I do afterwards, career-wise?
- A: There are many career options open to graduates of the BA Irish Music and Dance. Some of these options include:
- Professional Performance.
- Music Technology, e.g. recording studio producer/technician.
- Music/Dance Therapy.
- Community Music/Dance.
- Music/Dance teacher.
- Establish a management/promotion company or work as an agent.
- Arts administration, e.g. Arts Officer.
- Backstage work in performance theatre e.g. sound engineer.
- Post graduate work in many different areas
- Media (Tv, Radio etc.).
7)
- Q: What teachers will I have?
- A: Each student receives weekly one-to-one classes from a highly accomplished musician/dancer with extensive teaching and performance experience for their main performance area. Students work in small group classes for their second area. Master classes are also provided with some of the top professional musicians/dancers/teachers for students in their first area.
8 )
- Q: Can I take three or four instruments?
- A: Each student takes a first and second study (either music or dance). All students have to also take group classes in song and dance. All students take keyboard skills.
9)
- Q: Will I get the chance to do work experience in an area that I am interested in?
- A: Yes, each student has the opportunity to gain work experience in his or her area of interest in Semester 5, i.e. the 1st semester of 3rd Year.
10)
- Q: Will I get the chance to study abroad?
- A: Yes. Each student is given the option of studying at a number of institutions around the world for Semester 6, i.e. the 2nd Semester of 3rd Year.
11)
- Q: Is the course aimed at competition style dancing only?
- A: No, various aspects of Irish traditional dance are studied, including sean-nos, old style step dancing, set dancing and ceili dancing and also related dance forms, for example Cape Breton step dance and Flamenco. Irish traditional dance of every type is the central point of study.
12)
- Q: Do all musicians have to dance and/or sing?
- A: Yes, but we cater for all levels including beginners.
13)
- Q: Do all dancers have to sing and/or play music?
- A: Yes, but again you can be a complete beginner.
14)
- Q: Is this solely a performance programme?
- A: Performance and academic studies are equally important. This gives the student more career opportunities on completing the course.
15)
- Q: What does the audition consist of for musicians/singers?
- A: The audition for musicians/singers is in three parts.
- Performance of 3 contrasting sets of tunes or songs.
- Audio test where you are asked to comment verbally on 2 –3 pieces of music in terms of style, repertoire, arrangement, instruments, etc.
- Short interview.
- Interviewees are also asked to bring a short biography detailing their musical experience to date.
16)
- Q: What does the audition consist of for dancers?
- A: The audition for dancers is also in three parts.
- Performance of 3 contrasting dances.
- A/V test where you are asked to comment verbally on 2 – 3 dances in terms of style, repertoire, and context.
- Short interview.
- Interviewees are also asked to bring a short biography detailing their dance experience to date.
17)
- Q: What is like to study at the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance?
- A: The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance organise a number of events ranging from free lunch time concerts, to the Sionna Festival and the Blas Summer School. There are music sessions held both on the University Campus as well as in Limerick itself. Dancers find opportunities to go set and sean-nos dancing in Limerick and sometimes on the campus too. The ‘Gan Anam Music and Dance Society’ is very active and organise regular events and sessions. Students regularly perform on radio, at festivals and abroad. The expanding University of Limerick is situated by the beautiful river Shannon, and has currently five student villages, excellent sports facilities and a very active social life.
The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance has postgraduate programmes in the following areas:
- MA Ethnomusicology
- MA Ethnochoreology
- MA Irish Traditional Music Performance
- MA Dance Performance (Irish traditional and contemporary)
- H Dip Musical Education
- MA Music Therapy
- MA Community Music
- MA Chant & Ritual Song
- MA Classical String Performance
The University of Limerick has a postgraduate programme in
- MSc & MA in Music Technology
Further information can be obtained from course director:
Niall Keegan,
Irish World Academy of Music & Dance,
University of Limerick
Tel: +353 61 202465
Email: sandra.joyce@ul.ie
