Basic HTML Version
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
76
Music
COURSE CODES:
PLACES 2011:
POINTS 2010:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR002
20
470*
B.A.
TR001 (TSM)
10
555-570
TSM points:
See note on page 28
These are restricted entry courses.
Applications must be submitted by 1 February of the
proposed year of entry. Applicants will be required to
attend an entrance examination, provisionally scheduled
for Saturday 24 March 2012.
Specimen examination papers are available for download
from the Music Department website:
www.tcd.ie/Music/undergraduate/music/index.php
Special Entry Requirements:
Formal musical training is not a prerequisite for entry,
but candidates should have a good ear and the ability to
read and notate music to a rudimentary level. The most
important musical qualification is a good ear.
On the basis of the entrance examination results,
applicants may be called to attend an interview at the end
of April/beginning of May, before final selections are made.
You are not required to perform at interview.
TR002 – Music is a single honor course where music is
read almost exclusively for four years.
TR001 – Music (TSM) is a joint honors programme. Music
can be combined with one other subject. Both subjects are
studied for three years and one subject only is studied in
the fourth and final year. An honors degree is awarded in
both subjects.
For subjects that combine with Music see page 92.
Single honor and TSM students follow the same courses.
While TSM students cover all the principal areas of music
studied by single honor students, the workload is less than
that of the single honor programme. TSM students have
the same range of options as single honor students.
See also:
TR009 – Music education page 78
Course overview
The single honor and two-subject courses provide a thorough
grounding in the basic skills of musicianship and academic
study (see below for details). From the second year onwards,
and especially in the third and fourth years, both courses offer a
wide range of options. Students specialise in one of the following
areas: composition, music technology, and musicology (the
historical and analytical study of music); and in their final year
they undertake a major project in that area. However, the course
is designed so that students may also take subjects outside their
specialisation.
Although instrumental or vocal studies are not part of the formal
curriculum, a wide range of musical activities takes place on
the campus. Practical courses in aural training and/or keyboard
skills are available in each year; and the Music Department
supports several performance groups that work under the
supervision of experts in their fields (these are in addition to the
many performance opportunities offered by student societies).
The recently established Ensemble Avalon (APT) Residency
offers students an unmatched opportunity to work with
professional players of international standing
, on their
compositions and on projects in music technology, musicology
and performance.
The majority of subjects are based on the traditions and
practice of classical (or art) music, from the medieval period to
the present day. However, the department regularly presents
lectures in other musical traditions, including jazz, popular
music and Irish traditional music. Many students currently in
the department come, primarily from one of those non-classical
traditions.
One of the strengths of the Music courses in Trinity College
is the commitment to small-group teaching.
While some
subjects, such as History of music, are delivered as lectures to a
large group, many subjects are taught in groups of ten students
or fewer.
Is this the right course for you?
If you love music and want to understand it – for example, to
know how it works, its history and development, how to write
music, how to become a more informed performer – this is the
course for you. Whether your interests are primarily academic
or practical, your experience of this vast and rich subject will be
greatly improved in depth and breadth.
As an academic discipline, music fosters independence of
thought, creativity, critical and analytical skills, and intellectual
awareness. You will also have plenty of opportunity to perform,
conduct ensembles, and gain experience of arts administration.
Because the course includes a wide range of options, you will be
able to emphasise the areas that interest you most.
The facilities in the Music Department include a recital room,
practice rooms with pianos, an excellent and up-to-date suite
of computer workstations that are used for teaching and study,
a small music studio (plus more extensive, shared facilities
elsewhere), excellent listening equipment, and a substantial
lending collection of CDs and videos.
The staff of the Music Department have a wide range of
expertise in composition, music technology and musicology.
They are here to help you in your exploration of a subject that
they chose because they, like you, love it.
As a student at Trinity College you will have access to the
largest research library in Ireland. It is also by far the largest
and best-equipped library for music. In addition to its general
holdings of books and music, it houses an extensive listening
collection of CDs.