Program Overview

MA Experimental Sound Practice

The MA Experimental Sound Practice is a one-year full-time course designed to expand creative thinking into new areas, challenging habits and offering radical and hitherto unimagined possibilities. This course is about artistic thought, explored in an exceptionally progressive and open way, opening many creative doors without prescribing specific paths.

Course Outline

This course is designed to be accessible to students of any background who have an interest in making adventurous sonic art. Its intent is a free and broad exploration of numerous exciting approaches to creativity with sound in an exceptionally open and welcoming educational environment. The course embraces sonic art of many kinds, including notated or recorded compositions, improvisations, sound art, visual art with a sound component, music theatre, performance art, installations, live interactive electronics, and much more.

Modules

The course includes the following modules:

• MU6100 Expanded Instrument Systems (10 credits)
• MU6101 Digital Music and Media Composition (10 credits)
• MU6102 Composing in Real Time (10 credits)
• MU6103 Sound Art (5 credits)
• MU6104 Composing with Field Recordings (5 credits)
• MU6105 Experimental Music (5 credits)
• MU6047 Music Cognition and Perception in Culture (5 credits)
• 10 credits (1 x 10-credit or 2 x 5-credit modules) selected from all modules available to final year undergraduates or postgraduates studying Music.

Course Practicalities

The taught courses are assessed through several assignments undertaken during and after the courses. The portfolio consists of several compositions/artworks submitted in September.

Why Choose This Course

The MA Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. They encompass cutting-edge creative techniques of many kinds, an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices, and training in and exploration of a selection of in-demand music and video technologies and methods.

Requirements

In order to be permitted to proceed to the MA in Experimental Sound Practice, a candidate must hold a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher, and demonstrate experience in the creation of music or other sonic art. Applicants with an appropriate professional equivalent will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is Full-time: 8,100 Part-time: 4,700. The Non-EU fee for this course is 18,500.

How to Apply

To apply, candidates must submit an online application, which includes uploading a portfolio of sound-based creative work and answering supplementary questions. The portfolio should demonstrate the candidate's strongest work, and the supplementary questions will assess the candidate's motivation, readiness, and technical skills.

Similar Courses

• MA Music & Cultural History
• MA Ethnomusicology

Skills and Careers Information

The MA in Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. The eclectic mix allows students to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets them apart from others in their field(s). The MA Experimental Sound Practice is about the development of students as unique and imaginative artists.