Program Overview

BA (Honours) in Music Production with Composition

Overview

The BA (Hons) in Music Production with Composition is a three-year, full-time undergraduate program that equips students with the skills required to succeed as modern-day music producers and composers. The program is run in partnership with Pulse College and has been uniquely designed by the industry for the industry.

Course Details

Module Information - Year One

• Music Technology: Develop competence and confidence in programming Samplers, Sequencers, and Synthesisers. Learn advanced automation and synchronization techniques in Post-production and technically manage the interchange of projects between recording studios.
• Applications Technology: Learn how to use industry-standard Digital Audio Workstation software (Pro-Tools and Logic Pro X) to record and edit audio and MIDI. Produce music from conception to final mix-down, including the use of effects and automation, in a professional workflow.
• Recording Studio Principles: Understand the operating principles of modern recording studios. Gain insights into audio processing and the operation and signal flow of analogue mixing consoles. Complete a number of recordings to understand the principles of capturing sound.
• Music Theory/Aural Training: Develop understanding of musical theory, analyze musical structure and form (from Rock and Pop music to Classical and Jazz), and Aural Training skills. Develop notational skills using Sibelius notation software to convey musical ideas to musicians with musical vocabulary.
• The Music Industry: Gain a broad understanding of the music industry, its various roles and structures within the industry; the commercial, the regulatory environment, and the wider music culture.
• Sound Reinforcement: Understand the theory, techniques, and practices involved in implementing appropriate sound reinforcement for a live performance event.
• Critical Listening and Audio Analysis: Understand the principles of sound, estimating changes in sound frequency, sound level, band limitations and irregularities, distortion, noise, etc.

Year Two

• Advanced Music Technology: Develop competence and confidence in programming Samplers, Sequencers, and Synthesisers. Learn advanced automation and synchronization techniques in Post-production and technically manage the interchange of projects between recording studios.
• Music Production and Recording: Work in the role of a modern music producer utilizing technical and interpersonal skills to facilitate a project from pre-production to completion. Learn the processes involved in composing music for TV and Film; It also aims to expand musical vocabulary and analytical skills through studying the craft of composing to image. Emphasis is placed on developing compositional techniques.
• Sound Design: Understand the theory, technologies, and practical skills central to the production and postproduction of sound for virtual environments, and the role of sound design effects in other media.
• Music and Image: Learn the processes involved in composing music for TV and Film; It also aims to expand musical vocabulary and analytical skills through studying the craft of composing to image. Emphasis is placed on developing compositional techniques.
• Live Music and Performance Technologies: Gain further knowledge on how live performance systems can be programmed and performed and the skills needed to plan and realize a live performance.
• History of Music Production and Recording

Year Three

• Dissertation: Explore new ideas through research; develop independent research and learning skills; develop the skills necessary to plan and produce an extended, formally written document; and develop creativity through independent practical work and expand knowledge in areas of personal interest. This module will be the culmination of study. Explore, through research and writing, subjects deemed worthy of academic investigation, or the development of new ideas through practice-based project work.
• Advanced Music Production and Recording: Develop recording skills to a professional industry standard including pre and post-production elements, recording large acoustic ensembles, managing the studio environment with an orchestra or large ensemble, and developing communication skills required to liaise with clients.
• Sound Design and Installation: Learn the practical and theoretical knowledge in the main areas of studio design and related industries. Become familiar with various systems and operations using industry software currently used in acoustic analysis.
• Professional Practice: Be equipped with a working knowledge of the ethical and fiscal standards of the professional bodies and the practical understanding of the complex legal implications of intellectual property in the music industry. Develop skills in presenting, creating an industry CV, and applying for industry jobs as well as developing digital presence online.
• Composition For Visual Media: Develop imagination in composing to picture, enabling critical consideration of the various roles that music can have when used with visual media.
• Creative Composition: Develop compositional ideas and techniques to bring innovation to original work. Learn compositional work in a wider context, and enable the formulation of a cohesive body of compositional work.
• Application of Psychology of Music: Contextualize the social environment in which music functions, focusing on its prominent role in popular and contemporary culture and society.

Entry Requirements

• Irish citizens under 23 Years of Age:
  • 2x H5s (H5 = 50 – 60% in a Leaving Certificate Higher Level subject)
  • Minimum of 4x O6/H7s (O6 = 40 – 55% in a Leaving Certificate Ordinary Subject / H7 = 30-40% in a Leaving Certificate Higher Level subject)
  • To include a minimum O6 or higher in Ordinary Leaving Certificate Mathematics and either Irish or English
• FETAC Level 6 / HETAC Level 7 in Music/Media or similar
• A Minimum of 2 Grade C A Levels and 4 subjects from either A levels (Grades A-E) or GCSE (Grades A,B or C). Or NVQ Level 3 in Music/Media or similar.
• Basic knowledge of computers (Mac/PC, and audio software): helpful but not essential
• The ability to devise original work across a variety of media
• FETAC Level 6 / HETAC Level 7 in Music/Media or similar
• 3 GCE A Level, NVQ Level 3 in Music/Media or similar
• Extra-curricular activities, such as band performance, DJ-ing, community arts, visual or performing arts

Tuition Fees

• Irish/EU Living in Ireland: EUR 8,950.00
• Irish/EU citizens, living abroad: Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.
• International: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
• Student Services and Administration fee of EUR 200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted above.

Progression

• Academic Progression: Graduates are eligible to be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree. We offer an MA in Scoring for Film, TV & Interactive Media which might interest degree recipients.
• Career Progression: Previous graduates of our Music programme have found employment in a variety of sectors within the music industry. Some of the many great artists or facilities past pupils have worked with are: Prince, Kings of Leon, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, U2, REM, Kylie Minogue, Windmill Pictures, Brown Bag, Ardmore Studios, RTE, FM104, TV3, RTE Radio, The Apprentice, Masterchef, Little Brittan, River cottage, Harry Potter, Casino Royale, MTV X-Factor, The Voice, Slane, Oxygen, O2, Electric Picnic, Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.