Certificate in Music and Dance

Introduction

The Certificate in Music and Dance is a level 6, progression and access based programme from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. For this coming Academic Year, this is offered as a full-time, one-year course. There are plans to offer this programme as a part-time two year programme and utilising blended and distance learning. The Certificate differs significantly from other music and dance programs on offer and is a route into the second year of all of the BA degrees here at the Irish World Academy in Contemporary Dance, Irish Traditional Dance, World Music, Voice and Irish Traditional Music.

Aims

To provide access for performers to third level education who may struggle, for a variety of reasons, to engage mainstream access routes.
To encourage the individual to enhance both musical/ dance knowledge and performance.

Objectives

Students will cover 10 modules in a 1 year, fulltime programme of lectures, seminars, workshops, and master classes.
Learners will develop skills in music and dance – any genre is welcome.

This qualification not only enhances performance skills, but also opens doors to further study.

Pathway into certain degree programmes – in the first instance, successful completion of the course to the required standard will enable students to be considered for a place in second year of the fulltime BA Performing Arts at the University of Limerick.
Criteria for progression will be based on a number of places available as well as relevance of performance and academic achievement on the Certificate.
The Certificate will provide training in music literacy, group playing and arrangement, song and dance, enabling the students to work in a variety of educational contexts, both solo and group.
Dancers will experience ensemble, choreography work and movement awareness.
This programme will develop academic, literacy and presentation skills, important for a wide range of careers.
The Certificate will develop students’ current performance abilities and encourage the development of new performance skills including keyboard and composition, leading to the possibility of careers as performers.
Opportunities in Arts administration and media are a potential career path for students

Programme of Study

Semester 1

Performance 1A (MD4101)

Here students will develop core skills pertinent to their practice (for further details please see details of this module on the BA pathway most relevant to your practice).

Irish World Academy Practicum C1 (MD4091)

Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.

MU4001 Critical Encounters with Music and Dance (Irish Music and Dance)

Issues addressed in this module will be taken from current research engagements with the native Irish music and dance traditions. These will critically engage historical narratives, conceptual structuring and evolving identities of the traditions in question. Students will be introduced to concepts of research as a creative, scholarly practice.

Critical Encounters with Music and Dance (World Music and Dance)

In this class students are introduced to diverse music traditions from around the world, including, popular musics of West Africa, the court music of Indonesia, classical musics of India, folk and Celtic musics of Europe, classical music of the Arab Middle East, and traditional musics of Canada and America. Students deepen their knowledge of diverse repertoires and performance practices, develop their scholarly engagement with music and dance, gain a more global view of music and dance, and contextualise their own music and dance practices within the wider world of music and dance.

Reflective Practice portfolio (MD2001 )

. This module will help student develop writing and other academic skills that can be used for the students to reflect on their own music and or dance practice. It will also help them engage the academic disciplines throughout the Certificate and the BA Performing Arts. Here student will be asked to keep a diary throughout the course. Here you will reflect on your learning and experiences and engage reading about performance. You will also develop presentational skills.

Semester 2

Performance 2A (MD4102)

Here students will develop core skills pertinent to their practice (for further details please see details of this module on the BA pathway most relevant to your practice).

Irish World Academy Practicum C2 (MD4111)

Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance (MU4012)

This module explores Western Art music and dance practices in an academic and performative context, providing them with an insight into some of the diversity of music and dance practices within these traditions.

Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance (MU4002)

In this class students study various genres of popular music and dance. Students deepen their knowledge of diverse popular repertoires and performance practices, and deepen their knowledge of the role of popular culture in social, political, economic, cultural and artistic life. Students develop a critical view of popular music and dance, and contextualize their own music and dance practices within the wider, commercially mediated world of music and dance.

Traveller Music Studies (MD4044).

This module will examine the music traditions of nomadic communities immediate to the Irish experience (ie. Irish, Scottish travellers and Romany Gypsys) but in a wider European context. Students will engage these music cultures in a wide cultural and physical context annd develop an understanding of the contribution of these music cultures to those of the ‘so-called’ settled community. This module will be delivered online and student will develop technology skills appropriate to this.

Application

Entrance Requirements

Audition

An interview/audition is arranged for each applicant. This must be passed in order to gain entry onto the course.

Access and Eligibility

Those applying to study on the Certificate in Music and Dance must do so directly to the University, not through the CAO. Contact admissions (admissions@ul.ie).

Music and / or dance experience in at least one area is required.

Successful applicants will have successfully conducted an interview, audition and a written assignment.

The written assignment will consist of a 800 to 1200 word essay accounting for the applicants artistic practice to date, their motivations for applying to undertake the Certificate and their expectations of the programme.

In the audition the students maybe given an aural test where they will be asked to write about a recorded piece of music or dance shown to them.

Applicants who are at less than 23 years of age on January 1st of the proposed year of entry must have at least five O6 grades at Ordinary Level or five H7 grades at Higher Level in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent. Older applicants will be assessed on a competency basis.

HOW TO APPLY

All enquiries in relation to admission of students should be addressed to:

Admissions Office
University of Limerick
Limerick
Ireland
tel : +353-61-202700
fax : +353-61-334859
email : admissions@ul.ie
Web site: https://ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/certificate-music-and-dance

Enquiries in relation to the course can be made to:

Niall Keegan
Director of Undergraduate Studies,
Room No: IW1.17,
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,
University of Limerick,
Limerick, Ireland.

Tel: +353-61-202465
e-mail: Niall.Keegan@ul.ie

Media

Contact

Enquiries in relation to the course can be made to:

Dr. Niall Keegan
Director of Undergraduate Studies,
Room No: IW1.17,
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,
University of Limerick,
Limerick, Ireland.
Tel: +353-61-202465
e-mail: Niall.Keegan@ul.ie