International Education Office: Early Start Semester in Musics in Ireland
Duration: Late August - Mid-December
What is the Early Start Semester in Musics in Ireland?
The Early Start Semester in Musics in Ireland provides the visiting student with a series of vivid encounters with the rich variety of musical traditions that forms Ireland’s vibrant soundscape. Ranging from the historic to the contemporary, the course explores Irish traditional music, including the development of the Irish traditional music session and group playing; popular music forms, including jazz, rock and rap music; and art music, including the work of Irish composers and the music of Georgian Dublin.
What will I be Studying?
Students will examine key moments in Ireland’s musical past as well as considering their continued resonance today. They will engage with these musics by attending a variety of lectures, workshops, performances and fieldtrips.
Irish Traditional Music
Due to the phenomenal global success of Riverdance and groups such as The Chieftains and Altan, Irish traditional music at the beginning of the 21st century is one of the most popular folk musics on the international stage. We will examine various aspects of these contemporary expressions of Irish culture as well as exploring their historical roots: for example, the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792, the folk revival of the 1960s and 70s and the impact of recording on Irish music in America in the early 1900s.
Cork city and surroundings are home to a vibrant traditional music culture and University College Cork is itself internationally renowned for its commitment to Irish traditional music and its excellence in Irish traditional music studies. The significance of the composer Seán Ó Riada, a pivotal figure in the revival of Irish traditional music and a former lecturer at University College Cork, will also be studied, with particular attention to his contribution to ensemble playing in Ireland.
Irish Popular Music
Through a variety of case studies, this section of the course explores both the local voices in Irish popular music and Ireland’s contributions to the international scene. Ireland is known internationally for the quality of its rock music in particular, notably through the music of groups such as U2 and Snow Patrol.
Students will explore the emergence, growth and continuing popularity of Irish acts on the international stage. As well as considering Irish popular music from an international perspective, the course also examines local music-making. The city of Cork itself provides a focal point for the study of popular music: as a hotbed of singer-songwriter activity, as host to Ireland’s largest annual Jazz festival; as home to the late Rory Gallagher, one of Ireland’s best-loved rock icons.
European Art Music
Modern Ireland has possessed, since the 19th century, a rich tradition of western art music. In earlier times art music was largely a feature of urban life for the Anglo-Irish, particularly in the city of Dublin which in the early 18th century experienced a flowering of European music after the fashion popular in London. This part of the course focuses on the music of Georgian Dublin during the 1740s, including the nine-month visit of George Frideric Handel and the first performance of Messiah.
Among the strongest manifestations of art music today are the classical concerts promoted by such organizations as Lyric FM, RTÉ (the national broadcaster) and the thriving scene for the composition of new music. The course will examine a number of composers’ works that have featured as part of various film productions. It will also explore the contribution of various organizations to the promotion and development of art music in Ireland.
Field Trips & Workshops
A series of field trips and introductory workshops will take place throughout the programme. These have been designed to provide first-hand experience of the musics and topics discussed in class, and will include visits to sessions and concerts both locally and nationally and Introductory workshops in music, song and Irish dance.
Entry Requirements
The minimum G.P.A. requirement for admission to the Early Start Semester in Musics in Ireland is normally 3.0 out of 4.0
Further Information
For further information contact the International Education Office
Email: isoffice@ucc.ie
