Program Overview

Music Performance Structured Elective

Overview

This structured elective offers the opportunity to receive formal recognition for taking part in one or more professionally-led music ensembles over a number of trimesters.

Benefits

This structured elective allows students to develop their musical skills either by taking part in one ensemble for several trimesters, or by taking part in a range of ensembles. Performing groups are an excellent way to share a love of music with people from across the university and end of trimester concerts offer a memorable opportunity to perform to live audiences in leading venues.

Skills Development

Regardless of the starting point and choice of performing groups, students will build key musical skills across a range of repertoire. Performing as part of an ensemble, students will also build key communication and teamwork skills. Taking these modules as a structured elective may also help to signal these skills to potential future employers.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Structured Electives are available to undergraduate students only.
• In order to take this Structured Elective, students must take the specified modules in or after 2024/25.
• To be awarded this Structured Elective, students must take 15 credits from the list of modules outlined below.
• Students will not be awarded this Structured Elective if they are graduating with a major or minor listed in the eligibility section.
• Traditional Music Practices and the UCD Composition Ensemble do not require an audition, but it is recommended that students have some prior experience on a relevant instrument.
• The UCD Gamelan Orchestra is open to all, with no expectation of prior experience with Gamelan or any other instrument.
• Students may take multiple modules from the same performing group, or modules across different performing groups.
• Students can take any combination of modules in any order from the selection available to achieve the required credits for this Structured Elective.
• No guarantee is given that it will be possible to take 15 credits from the outset, as this will depend on module places being available and on the exigencies of the timetable.

Modules

The following modules are available as part of this Structured Elective:

• MUS20340: Symphony Orchestra Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20350: Symphony Orchestra Spring 26 (5 credits)
• MUS20770: Philharmonic Choir Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20780: Philharmonic Choir Spring 26 (5 credits)
• MUS20360: Choral Scholars Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20370: Choral Scholars Spring 26 (5 credits)
• MUS20820: Gamelan Orchestra Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20830: Gamelan Orchestra Spring 26 (5 credits)
• MUS20800: Composition Ensemble Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20810: Composition Ensemble Spring 26 (5 credits)
• MUS20730: Trad Music Practices Autumn 25 (5 credits)
• MUS20740: Trad Music Practices Spring 26 (5 credits)

Auditions

Some groups require prior audition. These are:

• UCD Choral Scholars
• UCD Philharmonic Choir
• UCD Symphony Orchestra
• UCD Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra Audition details are available on the School of Music website.

Eligibility Restrictions

Students will not be awarded this Structured Elective if they are graduating with a major or minor in the following programs:

• BA Humanities Creative & Cultural Industries (CCS2)
• BA Humanities CCI (English & Creative Writing) (CCS3)
• BA Humanities CCI (Media & Communications) (CCS4)
• BA Humanities CCI (Irish & Folklore) (CCS5)
• BA Humanities CCI (Visual Cultures) (CCS6)
• BA Humanities CCI (Music History, Performance & Production) (CCS7)
• Music (MCI1)
• Music Joint Major (MCJ1)
• Music (BMus Stage 4) (MCS1)
• Music (BMus) (MCS2)
• BA Humanities Music, Film & Drama (MCS4)
• BA Humanities Music (MCS5)