An exploration of songwriting, songwriters and repertoires with a consideration of various cultural, economic, social, political and historical contexts. This is achieved through Tutorials, Seminars and Lectures from visiting experts in various fields of songwriting and music styles and epochs.

 An exploration of the creative process of songwriting and the development of skills to produce a body of work for performance and recording. Workshops are conducted with a variety of visiting songwriters.

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.

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.

This module engages with aspects of planning and management for professional artists. Students learn about the development of business plans, effective communication and pitching strategies, stakeholder development and core skills for the creative industries, such as financial management and planning.

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.

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.

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.

This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.

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 specialisation 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.

This module develops the instrumental skills of the songwriter appropriate to their songwriting and performance practices. It entails tuition (one to one and/or group) with Faculty members as well as Guest tutors in the selected discipline.

Students choose to participate in one ensemble from the Academy’s diverse range of music ensembles. Ensemble options include (but are not limited to): • Vocal Ensemble • Gospel Choir • Chant Ensemble • Irish World Academy Choir • Gamelan Orchestra Students learn ensemble-specific repertoire and performance practices through attendance at weekly rehearsals and participation in ensemble performances.

Students develop their knowledge of theoretical aspects of music. Students analyse important stylistic aspects of musical language, including form, melody, rhythm, harmony, chords, part-writing and ensemble textures. Students improve their music literacy by developing listening skills and their ability to sight-read at the keyboard and on their own instrument.

In this module (and in the connected module ‘Songwriting Style and Context 1’) students explore songwriting, songwriters and song repertoires, and the creation of meaning and the construction of identity through songwriting and performance, in various cultural, economic, social, political and historical contexts.

This module builds on the skills developed and experiences gained in Songwriting Process 1. Students will draw on their existing artistic materials and experiences, and continue to build their portfolio of work with support from resident and guest faculty through workshops, peer review and mentoring.

This module explores the creative process in artistic and academic work. Its objective is to develop skills in the documentation of performance practice towards the development of a research inquiry. lt does this through an engagement with key texts regarding arts practice research and the writing of an arts practice research paper.

In this module students will develop their recording and live performance technology practices. Students will creatively generate professional quality media objects out of their own performance practices, both audio and video. They will also develop skills with live effects, controlled by the artist on stage where necessary.

This module will examine best contemporary practice for the promotion and dissemination of artist outputs. Such an examination will engage agencies in this field nationally and internationally engaging with relevant organisations demonstrating best practice, including Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), Recording Artists and Performers (RAAP) and First Music Contact.

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.

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.

This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.

This module introduces students to a range of interdisciplinary aesthetic and technical approaches to improvisation and composition. It also aims to provide a platform for students to engage in research that is interdisciplinary in nature and to integrate and apply this knowledge in their own practice.

The third Semester ends with the presentation of an Assessment Portfolio, the contents of which represents a body of work created over the year. It comprises of a Live Performance of this material, a self-produced Recording of same, PR Materials and a Reflective Journal detailing the journey.

It’s a great thrill to be involved in such a progressive programme on a campus where music is dripping out of the walls.  The range of songwriters Carl has enlisted are all highly-skilled practitioners with a diverse range of influences, reflecting the myriad of approaches to songwriting in all its various forms. 

IMRO has been closely connected with the course, the only one of its kind in Ireland, since its inception, having participated in the course steering committee, in consultation with the UL faculty.  This prestigious course provides students with a career enhancing opportunity to hone their songwriting, music business and networking skills.  in tandem with this, it is an ideal platform for students to investigate their own ‘songwriting voice’ through a thorough investigation of their art practice.

Course Director, Carl Corcoran, through his own experiences as a songwriter, broadcaster and music programmer brings a wealth of first-hand experience of the creative process, and importantly Carl has the right industry knowhow, educational expertise, drive and passion to deliver engaging and meaningful course content for participating students.

IMRO is a national organisation that administers the performing right in copyright music in Ireland on behalf of its members – songwriters, composers and music publishers – and on behalf of the members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it.

I can honestly say that the full and diverse nature of this course made it thoroughly enjoyable and very informative. It has put a shape on my songwriting and has positively affected how I look at songs and songwriting.From a broader perspective, my time at UL has positively affected how I look at everything and how I look at life in general,(my choice of reading has changed dramatically).

My time during the MA Songwriting programme has shaped who I am as an artist and a songwriter. Not only did the programme give my creative life the direction I was seeking, it gave me the space to explore interdisciplinary collaborations, it helped me to develop a strong business sense, and it forged lifelong friendships with my classmates. My year in the MA Songwriting programme was a gift that I appreciate every day. 

My year in the Irish World Academy was a year of being in a super supportive and creatively nurturing and stimulating environment. It helped me to; solidify my stance as an artist, bolster my courage, fill my cup and to encourage and propel me further into where I want to be and into the things I want to be doing. The masters(my tutors, the coursework, the structure) didn’t coddle, or spoon feed me. It gave me a safe space, where the community of tutors and students were there to support me but it was my task to figure out who it is I am and where I want to go with my art. I gained invaluable tools for self-reflection and self- evaluation .

Studying for the MA in Songwriting at the Irish World Academy has been life changing for me. Though initially dubious about bringing my somewhat organic process of songwriting into an academic setting, I discovered that shining a light on my craft in the creative hub that is the academy, supported by course director Carl Corcoran, enabled me to take huge creative risks that ultimately led to an expansion and development of my skills as a singer songwriter. So much so that I am now pursuing further study with an Arts Practice PhD! 

The arts practice based nature of the Songwriting MA meant that I was able to use the tools offered through the lessons to dig deeper into my own creative tendencies, enhancing my voice as a writer and performer. Since completing the course, I am applying all that I learned during the year to creating live performances and recordings.

 

Edel Meade - Graduate, Dublin, Ireland

The Irish World Academy is an exceptional setting; I had the freedom to explore new musical directions, develop new skills and to push the boundaries of my own creativity. 

However, one of the biggest assets to the MA Songwriting is having Carl Corcoran at the helm, not just for his vast knowledge of the Irish and international musical landscapes, or his connections with the cream of Irish and international songwriting talent, many of which visited us for tutorial sessions and performances at the Academy; or for his understanding of the songwriting process and the music industry; but also because he cares deeply for each one of his students. An enriching and rewarding experience.