Program Overview

Overview of the Music Program

The Music program at Trinity College Dublin is a four-year, full-time course that leads to a B.A. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8). With 25 available places, this program is designed for students who are passionate about music and wish to engage with a range of traditions to acquire a profound understanding of how music works in theory and in creative practice.

Course Details

• Awards: B.A. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
• CAO Information: CAO Points 388 (2024), CAO Code TR002
• Number of Places: 25 Places
• Duration: 4 Years Full-Time

Admission 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.
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

The program provides a thorough grounding in the basic skills of musicianship and academic study. Students receive extensive training in aural and keyboard skills, learn the history and theory of art music from the medieval period to the present day, and choose modules in jazz, rock, popular, vernacular, and world music.

First and Second Years

Subjects include:

• Pop Music
• Music Theory & Techniques
• Film Music Fundamentals
• Music Technology
• Aural and Keyboard Skills
• Critical Writing on Music
• Creative Instrumentation

In Year Two, students continue the subjects from first year and begin the exploration of Composition, Musicology, or Music Technology. Single Honours students will also select a Trinity Elective or a New Minor Subject.

Third and Fourth Years

Concentrated study in chosen modules with possible electives from other specialisations. Students can present a recital and devise their own Capstone project with the help of a supervisor.

Recent options have included:

• Advanced Theory Clinic
• Counterpoint and Fugue for Three Voices
• Advanced Harmony (Sonata Forms)
• Intersectionality and the Role of Women in Electronic Music
• Experimental Music Theatre & New Opera
• Writing for Voice(s)
• Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques
• Philosophy of Music
• Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Opera and Gender
• Audiovisual Culture
• Performance Research Lab
• Sound Art
• Fundamentals of Choral Conducting
• Recital
• Csound
• Heavy Metal
• An Introduction to Debussy’s World and Music
• History and Aesthetics of Recording
• The Hollywood Musical from The Jazz Singer (1927) to Sweet Charity (1969)
• RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall
• Irish Traditional Music

Capstone projects take the form of, respectively, a portfolio of compositions, a major technology project, or a dissertation.

Study Abroad

Music students can apply to study abroad in European universities with the Erasmus programme (such as the Royal Holloway University of London) and non-EU universities (University of Toronto, Peking University) via university-wide exchanges.

Career Opportunities

The employment record for Trinity’s graduates in Music is excellent. Recent alumni have established successful careers as composers, music producers (for television, radio, or recording companies), performers, conductors, administrators, teachers, and academics in institutions worldwide. Several recent graduates have been commissioned by organisations such as RTÉ. Trinity Music students have an outstanding record of obtaining scholarships for further study abroad as well as from the Arts Council of Ireland. Some have used the analytical and intellectual skills that a Music degree offers to build successful careers in medicine, law, financial investment, and public relations.

Fees

For a full list of undergraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Conclusion

The Music program at Trinity College Dublin offers a comprehensive and engaging education in music, providing students with a deep understanding of music theory, history, and practice. With its strong reputation, excellent career prospects, and opportunities for study abroad, this program is an ideal choice for students who are passionate about music and wish to pursue a career in the creative arts.