Bachelor of Arts in World Music

In Practicum A students receive individual instrumental/vocal lessons, perform in the Javanese gamelan ensemble and study the theory of several world music genres.

Instrumental/vocal lessons

• World Music students take lessons on their primary/first instrument and a world music instrument. Lessons on the primary/first instrument are intended to support the development of each student’s existing instrumental/vocal practice. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy.
• World Music students also take lessons on a new, world music instrument. These lessons are intended to support the development of new instrumental/vocal practices, giving students an opportunity to learn to play a new instrument and a new repertoire of music. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy. Instrumental tuition is offered on several instruments including Indian Sarode, West African Djembe and a range of Javanese gamelan instruments.

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble

• Students take weekly ensemble performance classes in Javanese Gamelan, learning to play the Academy’s recently acquired set of Indonesian instruments – an orchestra of 40-60 tuned bronze gongs, metallophones and drums.

World Music Theory

• Students taking the World Music pathway take their own Theory stream, which focuses on developing their understanding of the music traditions and practices that they study in their ensemble classes and individual lessons.

Practicum C is an ensemble, performance module, which provides students with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of music and dance practical learning. World Music students take two compulsory ensemble classes (for example: West African Mandinka Drumming Ensemble and Middle Eastern and Balkan Music Ensemble) and also choose two performance classes from the range of options offered by all BA Performing Arts pathways (for example: Gospel Choir, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble and Flamenco).

The Critical Encounters module consists of four lecture courses. All lectures are taken by 1st year BA Performing Arts students. 

Critical Encounters with Irish Music and Dance 

• In this class students are introduced to Irish traditional music and dance studies. Students deepen their knowledge of traditional repertoires and performance practices and develop their scholarly engagement with Irish traditional music and dance. Students engage with a range of research approaches drawn from various scholarly disciplines, including ethnomusicology and ethnochoreology.

Critical Encounters with 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.

Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance 

• In this class students study a range of western art music and contemporary dance repertoires and practices. Students deepen their knowledge of diverse repertoires and performance practices and are introduced to the scholarly disciplines of musicology, dance studies and arts practice.

Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance

• 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.

In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from  range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.

In Practicum A students receive individual instrumental/vocal lessons, perform in the Javanese gamelan ensemble and study the theory of several world music genres.

Instrumental/vocal lessons

• World Music students take lessons on their primary/first instrument and a world music instrument. Lessons on the primary/first instrument are intended to support the development of each student’s existing instrumental/vocal practice. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy.
• World Music students also take lessons on a new, world music instrument. These lessons are intended to support the development of new instrumental/vocal practices, giving students an opportunity to learn to play a new instrument and a new repertoire of music. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy. Instrumental tuition is offered on several instruments including Indian Sarode, West African Djembe and a range of Javanese gamelan instruments.

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble

• Students take weekly ensemble performance classes in Javanese Gamelan, learning to play the Academy’s recently acquired set of Indonesian instruments – an orchestra of 40-60 tuned bronze gongs, metallophones and drums.

World Music Theory

• Students taking the World Music pathway take their own Theory stream, which focuses on developing their understanding of the music traditions and practices that they study in their ensemble classes and individual lessons.

Practicum C is an ensemble performance module. It provides students with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of practical music and dance learning. World Music students take two compulsory ensemble classes (for example: West African Mandinka Drumming Ensemble and Middle Eastern and Balkan Music Ensemble) and also choose two performance classes from the range of options offered by all BA Performing Arts pathways (for example: Gospel Choir, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble and Flamenco).

This module introduces students to aspects of sound and movement from around the world, questioning the nature of ‘World Music and Dance’ in the 21st century digital age.

This module introduces students to professional audio and visual technologies relevant to performers in their field. Students learn to use audio and visual  technologies in professional contexts: recording concerts, providing technical support to a wide range of performances and generating media appropriate to the world of performing arts.

This module introduces students to a variety of popular musics from around the world. Students will explore aspects of the history, performance practice and repertoire of selected popular musics.

In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from  range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.

In the first semester of year 3, students go on ‘co-op’placement, a university-wide module designed to engage students in real-world, professional learning experiences. UL’s Cooperative Education division, in consultation with the Academy, helps students to identify opportunities in a variety of contexts, including arts management, education, performance, media and related areas.

In Practicum A students receive individual instrumental/vocal lessons, perform in the Javanese gamelan ensemble and study the theory of several world music genres.

Instrumental/vocal lessons

• World Music students take lessons on their primary/first instrument and a world music instrument. Lessons on the primary/first instrument are intended to support the development of each student’s existing instrumental/vocal practice. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy.
• World Music students also take lessons on a new, world music instrument. These lessons are intended to support the development of new instrumental/vocal practices, giving students an opportunity to learn to play a new instrument and a new repertoire of music. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy. Instrumental tuition is offered on several instruments including Indian Sarode, West African Djembe and a range of Javanese gamelan instruments.

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble

• Students take weekly ensemble performance classes in Javanese Gamelan, learning to play the Academy’s recently acquired set of Indonesian instruments – an orchestra of 40-60 tuned bronze gongs, metallophones and drums.

World Music Theory

• Students taking the World Music pathway take their own Theory stream, which focuses on developing their understanding of the music traditions and practices that they study in their ensemble classes and individual lessons.

Practicum C is an ensemble performance module. It provides students with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of practical music and dance learning. World Music students take two compulsory ensemble classes (for example: West African Mandinka Drumming Ensemble and Middle Eastern and Balkan Music Ensemble) and also choose two performance classes from the range of options offered by all BA Performing Arts pathways (for example: Gospel Choir, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble and Flamenco).

This module introduces students to the disciplines of ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology and arts practice. Students engage with relevant principles, concepts and methodologies.

This module develops students awareness and understanding of the impact of the arts on health and well-being. Students study the role of the arts in various settings, including hospitals, community settings and mental health settings. The role of the arts in society, more generally, is also considered.

In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from  range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.

In Practicum A students receive individual instrumental/vocal lessons, perform in the Javanese gamelan ensemble and study the theory of several world music genres.

Instrumental/vocal lessons

• World Music students take lessons on their primary/first instrument and a world music instrument. Lessons on the primary/first instrument are intended to support the development of each student’s existing instrumental/vocal practice. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy.
• World Music students also take lessons on a new, world music instrument. These lessons are intended to support the development of new instrumental/vocal practices, giving students an opportunity to learn to play a new instrument and a new repertoire of music. Lessons are taught by approved teachers and take place at the Irish World Academy. Instrumental tuition is offered on several instruments including Indian Sarode, West African Djembe and a range of Javanese gamelan instruments.

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble

• Students take weekly ensemble performance classes in Javanese Gamelan, learning to play the Academy’s recently acquired set of Indonesian instruments – an orchestra of 40-60 tuned bronze gongs, metallophones and drums.

World Music Theory

• Students taking the World Music pathway take their own Theory stream, which focuses on developing their understanding of the music traditions and practices that they study in their ensemble classes and individual lessons.

Practicum C is an ensemble performance module. It provides students with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of practical music and dance learning. World Music students take two compulsory ensemble classes (for example: West African Mandinka Drumming Ensemble and Middle Eastern and Balkan Music Ensemble) and also choose two performance classes from the range of options offered by all BA Performing Arts pathways (for example: Gospel Choir, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble and Flamenco).

This module is intended students in the first semester of their fourth year, preparing to embark on an extended research project which will be presented in a 10,000 word thesis or equivalent. The student will agree on the subject of the project with the course director and will be introduced to a number of sample research projects and methodologies.

This module will examine issues pertinent to the lives of professional musicians and dancers. Issues such as promotion, effective communication, industry structures, touring, dealing with statutory arts bodies and funding structures will be practically engaged. Classes may feature professionals working in these fields and regularly faculty with relevant experience. This aspect of the module is supported by a lecture series and assessed through attendance and written assignments in the form of professional portfolios and resources.

This is the second of the two Irish World Academy modules for the FYP. The student works in a one on one context with supervisor in this module while receiving certain skills training to enable them to fill out the structure of the FYP started in the previous semester. Students will produce their own unique piece of research in an genre and disciplinary approach to the performing arts of their own choosing.

This module is designed to give advanced undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a particular topic in an in-depth way not possible in introductory or survey modules. Specific topics will be chosen by the faculty member coordinating the module and will generally be research based. It is intended to serve as a recruitment stepping stone taking 4th year undergraduates into considering post-graduate studies in the international field of ethnomusicology.

In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from  range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.

You need to have experience in performing before embarking on this course.

No. In the case of Irish Music, Irish Dance, Contemporary Dance and Voice, you need to show proficiency in one area. In the case of World Music, you will be required to show proficiency in any genre of music. An open mind and a willingness to engage with other genres and disciplines is also a requirement.

The first year of the programme is shared by all musicians, singers and dancers but you will specialise in your own performance genre from the start. At the beginning of the second year, students will be divided into their specialist area, in one of the following streams:

• Irish Traditional Music

• Irish Traditional Dance

• Contemporary Dance

• Voice

• World Music

Each student receives weekly classes from highly accomplished vocalists, musicians and dancers with extensive teaching and performance experience for their main performance area. Master classes are also provided by visiting professional vocalists, musicians and dancers throughout each semester.

Yes, each student has the opportunity to gain work experience in their area of interest in Semester 5 during their Co-operative Education placement, i.e. the 1st Semester of 3rd Year.

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.

No, you will also engage in academic classes. Performance and academic studies are equally important. This gives you more career opportunities upon completing the course.

Auditions normally take place at the beginning of April or in mid-July for late applicants and ‘change-of-mind’ applications although the Academy is flexible if applicants have difficulty with these dates. In auditions students should show a good standard of performance in one of the five pathways opened to students in the programme.  Students who wish to follow the World Music pathway can perform in any music or dance genre and not necessarily one associated with the term ‘World Music’.  The audition itself takes the form of a solo performance of no more than 10 minutes duration, a 10 minute interview and then some element usually specific to the performance pathway the student intends to follow.  For example: dancers will meet a physiotherapist in order to assess their physical suitability to the dance pathways; students for the vocal pathway will have a short choral workshop with other applicants where they will work on a single piece of repertoire; traditional musicians may be given a short oral test where they comment on recorded pieces of music played to them by faculty.  Students who intend to follow the world music stream will also have a short oral test. 

Further information can be found at www.irishworldacademy.ie