MA in Traditional Music (Taught)

This taught, 2-semester online programme is rooted in Irish traditional music while also exploring outwards into the neighbouring traditions which have impacted on Irish music. It is performance- and presentation- based, with all material explored via personal solo and group music interpretation. Lectures and tutorials will be delivered online on a weekly basis with one campus residential week per semester. Students will be in regular contact with teaching faculty and other students through a variety of online media.

The programme combines academic research, performance practice and the latest technological methods, focusing on the musical, social and historical dimensions of the folk music traditions of many areas of Europe including Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and Scandinavia. Students engage with the discipline of ethnomusicology undertaking courses in traditional music studies, collection and archiving, popular music theory, transmission and technology. The dissertation/research project provides the opportunities for students to develop an in-depth specialised study, which can be academic or performance based.

The programme is designed to inform a variety of interests including musicians, educators?, media commentators, producers and promoters. Course materials for this programme include critical and analytical texts, and video and audio recordings in Folk/Traditional music studies and Ethnomusicology.