MA Irish Music Studies

Introduction

The MA Irish Music Studies caters for people who wish to study Irish Music (traditional, folk, classical and related genres) from critical, cultural, historical, musicological, and analytical perspectives. The programme draws upon considerable expertise from across the Academy’s wide range of disciplinary approaches, exploring and expanding ideas of what constitutes ‘Irish music’, from historical and contemporary perspectives. The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance has become a leading centre for the study of Irish traditional music in particular, and while this genre informs some of the content of this Masters, it is one of a number of Irish musics that may be pursued as part of the programme. You are also encouraged to engage with the discourse through your own performance/compositional practice, if desired and where appropriate.

Programme of Study

Semester 1

MD6171 Framing Irish Music: Sources and Discourses 1

The purpose of this module is to explore the printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music, and to examine the main discourses around this music over the past three centuries.

MD6021 Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques

In this module you will learn appropriate methods and techniques for research and documentation of performance practices in the field. Topics relating to fieldwork, ethical principles, participant observation, interview techniques, and fieldnote taking are covered. Key issues in epistemology and methodology for such research will be raised and discussed and will be informed by supporting literature.

MU6061 Music Ethnography

This module introduces students to the theory, methods and techniques for sustained ethnographic inquiry into music and music cultures. Students are introduced to fieldwork practices and the values underlying good practice in ethnographic inquiry. Students develop documentation skills and approaches to writing about music performance, and explore strategies for effective listening and transcription.

MD6161 Irish Traditional Music Performance Research Seminar

This module will introduce students to current research in the area of traditional music studies. This research will be engaged through the critical assessment of current publications in the field, examining developments in the epistemology and phenomenology of current critical academic engagement with this historical artistic practice. The module will particularly examine the impact, real and potential, of these developments on the performance practice.

MD6041 Introduction to Ritual Studies

This module provides an introduction to ritual studies as an inter-disciplinary discourse drawing on anthropology, sociology, religious studies, ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology, festive arts and performance studies. It introduces a number of ritual case studies including historical and cross-cultural examples, with an emphasis on Irish ritual practices.

Options

MD6111 Colloquium 1

This module exposes students to scholarship and performance practices from a wide variety of music and dance and related disciplines, enabling students to broaden their perspectives on their own specialization as well as experience presentations from scholars and performers in cognate disciplines. Students are expected to attend a minimum of five seminars from the various series offered in the Academy.

MD6051 Independent Study 1

This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offerings at the Academy are also available for students to chose from.

MD6031 Media Technologies for Performing Arts and Arts Research

This module provides an introduction into current media technologies as they are used in the fields of performing arts, creative arts therapies, and arts research; to develop essential skills and fluency in these technologies in order to use them competently, creatively, and effectively in one’s own specific discipline.

MD6071 Writing & the Documentation of Arts Practice 1

This module explores the documentation of performance practices, with a focus on writing. It introduces forms of documentation emerging from personal memory data, self observation + reflection, and the collection of data from external sources. Registers of writing and the role of writing in the creative process are examined.

Semester 2

MD6152 Framing Irish Music: Sources and Discourses 2

The purpose of this module is to explore the printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music, and to examine the main discourses around this music over the past three centuries. This module is one of six offered by the Irish World Academy as part of a joint PhD in The Anthropology of Irish Music coordinated with the Keough Naughton Institute of Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame.

MD6081 Critical Engagements with Irish Traditional Music

In this module students will examine writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance their understanding of this tradition. They will critically engage with texts relevant to Irish traditional music studies and related fields.

MU5022 Anthropology of Music

An advanced level seminar in which students actively engage with contemporary theoretical discourse in the field addressing such issues such as: music and identity; music and gender; music and nationalism; globalization and localization of traditional musics; music and minorities; applied ethnomusicology; and others as appropriate for students’ research interests.

Options

MD6111 Colloquium 2

MD6052 Independent Study 2

This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offers at the Academy is also available for students to chose from.

MD6062 Critical Contexts for Arts Management and Cultural Policy

As part of this module, students are introduced to key ideas, issues and current debates in arts management and cultural policy. There is an emphasis on the interpretation and engagement with cultural policy from the perspective of a practitioner, and its relation to funding applications. The development of effective funding application skills and grant writing are also covered in this module.

Semester 3

MD5522: Final Presentation

The Final Presentation may take the form of a written thesis of 15,000 words with accompanying media or it may incorporate a final performance together with a shorter written component. Topic proposals are generally finalized early in the Spring semester and investigation of its theoretical perspective undertaken as a part of the Spring semester modules. Students work independently over the summer and the submission is presented late in August.

Applications

Entrance Requirements:

A primary degree with first or second class honours (suitable disciplines include but are not limited to, dance, music, arts, anthropology, sociology, folklore, etc.)

an approved equivalent qualification

an equivalent capability based on prior professional experience.

HOW TO APPLY:

First, make contact with the Course Director Dr. Sandra Joyce sandra.joyce@ul.ie to signal your interest.

Then, follow this link:

https://www.ul.ie/gps/course/irish-music-studies-ma

or contact:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Graduate School
Foundation Building
University of Limerick

Tel: +353 61 234377
Fax: +353 61 233287
Email: postgradadmissions@ul.ie

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

Click here for UL Academic Calendar

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE:

Click here for UL Global

POSTGRADUATE FEES:

Click here for Postgraduate Fees

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Click here for a list of scholarships available to prospective Irish World Academy of Music and Dance students.

Testimonials

This MA programme gave me an extensive understanding of Irish music and its associated scholarship, as well as a solid theoretical background in ethnomusicology, critical writing, and research methods. One of the most unique features of this course was the plethora of options available to tailor my experience to fit my goals. Coming from a research background, I was supported with coursework in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and surveying scholarship in Irish traditional music. Through elective modules, I was also afforded opportunities to explore this field through performance-based avenues. The encouragement I received from the inspirational staff, alongside the riveting content in my courses, inspired me to continue into a research PhD at the Academy.

As an international student, the Academy offered a truly immersive experience in which to study music in Ireland. Weekly lunchtime concerts offer performances by elite musicians and artists, while seminar series create a broad educational experience. Through this programme and the support of Academy staff, my studies were enriched by visiting key sites in Irish traditional music throughout Ireland, including the Coleman Irish Music Centre in Sligo and the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin. Living in Limerick gave me access to leading music festivals and sessions in the West of Ireland. This programme, coupled with the reputation and location of the Academy, provided an unparalleled education. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to engage themselves in the academic world of Irish music.

Chelsey Zimmerman, Graduate

Media

Contact

Applicants wishing to discuss detailed elements of the programme may contact the course director:

Dr Sandra Joyce
MA Irish Music Studies
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,
University of Limerick,
Limerick,
Ireland.

Email: sandra.joyce@ul.ie@ul.ie

For further details, information and brochures about the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance:

Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,
University of Limerick,
Limerick,
Ireland.
Phone: + 353 61 202590
e-mail: irishworldacademy@ul.ie

For queries to the University of Limerick Postgraduate Admissions Office:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Graduate School
Foundation Building
University of Limerick

Tel: +353 61 234377
Fax: +353 61 233287
Email: postgradadmissions@ul.ie