Music / Ceol

QQI Level 5/6 Applicants are welcome.  Further details at QQI Level 5/6 Award Applicants  

Mature applicants (23+) are welcome. Further details at Mature Applicants

All applicants must pass an audition

1. Apply through CAO before Feb 1. This applies for all Irish, EU and UK applicants including Mature Applicants and Advanced Entry Applicants. All International Applicants should contact the Tu Dublin International Office and the course chair dermot.dunne@tudublin.ie
2. We will email you directly by Feb 21 inviting you to complete and online audition application form – to be completed by Feb 28. Please check your SPAM/Junk folder at this time as emails may inadvertently end up there. If you do not receive this application form from us by Feb 21 please contact dermot.dunne@tudublin.ie
3. We will email you your audition date/time by March 04. Once again, If you do not receive your audition date and time from us by Mar 04 please contact dermot.dunne@tudublin.ie
4. Auditions take place on Mar 14, 15, 16 & 19
5. Notification of audition results Mar 21
6. Applicants who successfully pass their audition will need to attend for a Written and Aural test on Saturday March 26 at 2pm

Auditions will take place on our campus in the East Quad of TU Dublin Grangegorman all auditions will take place within the government guidelines on covid-19 in force at that time.

The audition will usually comprise the performance of two contrasting pieces and may include sight-reading and scales (see detailed requirements below) and a short interview. The Audition Panel reserves the right to halt a performance when it has heard enough to form a judgement. Candidates should be approximately Grade 7/8 standard or higher on an instrument or voice. The interview is intended to assess your suitability for entry to the course. You should be prepared to answer questions about your music studies, your experience of performing and your career aspirations.

There will be a written and aural test for those who are successful at their audition. A sample exam paper can be found by click on the following link:

BMus Sample Entrance Test

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Keyboard Department

Keyboard auditions (for piano, church organ, harpsichord and classical accordion) comprise a performance (details below) and short interview to assess suitability to the course. Applicants should be prepared to answer questions about their performance history, technical development and repertoire played during the last 2-3 years, including competitions, public performances, examinations etc. Please note that film music, transcriptions, arrangements, popular, rock, light-classical, self-composed works, traditional Irish and jazz pieces are not accepted for the audition.

Piano

Repertoire: Applicants must perform:
(i) two contrasting pieces by classical composers and
(ii) a short quick-study piece of Grade 7/8 standard which can be downloaded here four weeks prior to auditions.‌‌

A high standard of performance is expected, generally minimum of Grade 7/8 or equivalent. Ideally, applicants should have some public performance experience (competitions, recitals, concerts etc.).
At least one of the pieces must be by a composer from the following list:
Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Debussy.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test (Grade 7 level or equivalent)

Scales/Arpeggios: Applicants are expected to perform scales and arpeggios in the following keys:
D-flat, E-flat, F, G, A, B: 4 octaves, hands together, major and minor (harmonic or melodic)
Please note that the minimum metronome speed for scales is crotchet (4 semiquavers) = 88.

Quick Study

All PIANO Candidates are expected to perform a quick study piece at audition. View the piano piece for 2022.

Organ

Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces for manuals and pedals of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent, one of which should be by a Baroque composer.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent). The specification for the main organ at the Conservatory is available here.

Harpsichord

Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent, at least one of which should be by a Baroque composer.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent)

Classical Accordion

Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent)

Orchestral Department

Repertoire: Applicants must prepare two contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire of at least Grade 7 standard or equivalent. A high standard of performance is expected. Candidates may bring their own accompanist or have one provided upon request. Please note that backing tracks are not permitted.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform

Scales/technical exercises: Applicants will be asked to perform scales and/or technical exercises appropriate to their instrument and level

Irish Traditional Music

Instrumentalists: Two contrasting melodies (air & a set of dance tunes).

Vocalists: Two contrasting songs (preferably, one from the Gaelic song tradition.)

Vocal Deparment

Repertoire: Applicants are required to prepare two contrasting songs from the classical repertoire, with piano accompaniment – an accompanist will be provided. Songs from modern musicals will not be accepted.

Further Information

Dermot Dunne
BMus Course Chair
email: dermot.dunne@tudublin.ie

There’s worldwide demand for the talents of Irish-trained musicians – both classical and traditional vocalists and musicians. This full-time degree course will prepare you for a career as an instrumental or vocal performer, teacher, composer or musicologist.

The course places a major emphasis on performance, combined with supporting academic study. Areas studied include composition techniques; history of music; aural training; an introduction to education studies; music technology, and supporting musicianship. In Years 3 and 4, you can concentrate on one of the following: Performance, Composition, Pedagogy, Irish Traditional Music, or Musicology. 

You will have opportunities to showcase your talents by participating in a diverse programme of concerts, recitals and stage performances. A core element in the course is participation in ensembles, including: Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Opera Ensemble, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble, Big Band and Early Music Ensemble.  

Study Abroad Opportunities

Exchange opportunities are offered on a competitive basis. We have links with European and US institutions, including Columbia College Chicago, Ryerson University in Toronto, Metropolia University in Helsinki, the Liszt Academy in Budapest, and the Kódaly Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary.

• Musician
• Composer
• Musicologist
• Teacher 

By doing the BMUS, not only did I receive intense one-to-one coaching to improve my singing, the academic facilities allowed me to comprehensively research areas of particular interest to me, to the extent that my final-year thesis on contemporary opera was chosen as the best undergraduate musicology dissertation in Ireland by the Council of the Heads of Music in Higher Education.

The BMus in Performance is both a challenging and enjoyable course, combining competitive performance experience with a careful balance of musicianship and practical skills. What an enlightening four years!

There is a great atmosphere at the college with a friendly community between students and staff. Thanks to having access to some of Ireland’s leading musicians, I have now completed the first year of the Master of Music course in performance at the Royal College of Music in London.

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.