'Music and sound are taught in Ireland in ways that are both radical and highly traditional' - Say Mayfire

7 Feb 2025

• Say Mayfire, a Choctaw-Ireland Scholar and MA in Experimental Sound Practice student at UCC, brings a unique blend of artistic exploration and cultural heritage to their studies.
• Say has embraced UCC’s creative approach to sound, fusing sound art and guerrilla theatre.
• In this interview, Say reflects on their journey so far at UCC and Ireland’s inspiring music scene.

At University College Cork (UCC), students from around the world bring unique perspectives to their fields of study, and Say Mayfire is no exception. 

A talented musician and Choctaw-Ireland Scholar at UCC, Say is currently pursuing a Masters in Experimental Sound Practice. With a background in piano performance and music industry studies, Say has embraced the programme’s innovative approach to sound and performance art.

In this Q&A, Say shares insights into their journey at UCC, their creative evolution as a Sonic Clown, and their reflections on Irish culture.

How are you finding the MA in Experimental Sound Practice at UCC so far?

This course has opened my artistic practice to a new realm of performance art. I am particularly inspired to put sound into “character,” so to speak, via the tool of guerrilla theater. The course has put me in artistic situations so intimate and uncomfortable that I am finding myself able to do near anything in my artistic pursuit. I call myself a Sonic Clown now: a mix of sound art and guerrilla theater.

I chose my masters degree to both examine sound and art from a different perspective than that of Classical “art music,” and to take on an opportunity to represent the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma with the Choctaw-Ireland Scholarship program. 

I have met many artists from all over the world as a result of this program. It has opened my eyes to abilities I never knew I possessed, and now I am collaborating with more people than I ever have before!

How has your background in piano performance and music industry studies influence your approach to experimental sound practice?

Most of my influence from studying piano performance and music industry is through moving away from those fields and toward something more radical within sound. The MAESP has put me in the mindset of finding sounds outside of traditional instruments and engaging with art in a non-industrial way. I am moving toward an anything-goes philosophy while also focusing on radical honesty and non-metaphor.

What has your experience been like studying and living in Cork?

Cork is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. The Irish people are truly gifted to have such a rich cultural history and such a loving, active, and open-minded community. There is always live music in Ireland, anywhere you go –– something I hope to see someday in the U.S.A.

What advice would you give to international students considering studying music in Ireland?

Music and sound are taught in Ireland in ways that are both radical and highly traditional –– unlike anything I have seen in my home country. Research well before you decide to make the move!