Ceol-Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann

THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC

BACHELOR of ARTS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
(VALIDATED BY TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN)

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC – THIS COURSE IS NOT RUN
THROUGH CAO

1. INTRODUCTION

This programme aims to bring students to the highest performing level, and to
enhance the interpretative and intellectual qualities of their performance through
supporting academic studies.

In designing this programme, the Academy has allocated to the student a significant
amount of individual intuition from the instrumental/vocal teacher. The content and
structure of the programme is comparable to the best performing courses available in
Conservatories and Universities abroad. This Degree programme of performing
studies provides opportunities for performers of inherent excellence to develop their
potential to the best international standards.

The number of students admitted to the course is small, and therefore applicants are
expected to have attained considerable proficiency in their chosen instrument/voice.
This programme of studies has been validated and approved by Trinity College
Dublin for the award of the Honours Degree: BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC
PERFORMANCE.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(a) To train and develop students to the highest professional performance level,
enabling them to take their place in the music profession whether as a solo
instrumentalist, chamber music and orchestral player, accompanist, solo and
choral singer.
(b) To inculcate sound musicianship through supporting studies, which will
deepen and enrich student’s perception and understanding of the music they
perform, both analytically and stylistically.
(c) To provide students with a broad experience of practical music making,
equipping them with the skills necessary to participate confidently in a wide
variety of performance situations.

3. GENERAL OUTLINE OF COURSE

The performance course is a structured whole-time course of four years’ duration. The
primary emphasis of the course is on practical studies including both solo and
ensemble work. These studies are supported by courses in Aural Training,
Compositional Techniques and History of Music. Integral to the course are secondary
studies in Choir, Orchestra (for orchestral instruments), Accompaniment (for

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keyboard players) and Opera and Phonetics classes (for singers). Written and practical
examinations are held in each year of the course.
4. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for the course are required to have:

1.
(a) The minimum matriculation requirements for TCD courses.
and
(b) 85% or higher in the Grade VIII Royal Irish Academy of Music (Local
Centre), or Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, or Guildhall
School of Music London, or Trinity College London, or from comparable
institutions in other countries.

2. Applicants are also required:

(a) To submit a comprehensive musical C.V. which should include details of your
performing career to date e.g. Concerts, Recitals, Feiseanna, Broadcasts,
Orchestral/Chamber Music/Ensemble experience etc., and any other
information you would consider helpful to your application and, in particular,
your music examination record.

(b) To supply written recommendations from two musicians, one of who may be
the applicant’s teacher.

(d) To supply a photocopy of your birth certificate

(c) To sit a written paper, which will include a harmony question in simple choral
style of approximately the current Leaving Certificate (higher-level paper)
standard of difficulty. Aural tests will also be given. Applicants are required to
pass both the written paper and the aural tests in order to be considered for
admission to the course. *

*Note: In very exceptional circumstances, a complementary pass may be

awarded to applicants at the discretion of the audition/interview panel, subject
to the following conditions being fulfilled:

(1) The applicant must display exceptional performance flair and potential;

(2) The applicant must have obtained a mark within the compensatory
range of 30%-40% in both written and aural tests.

Applicants admitted to the course under these conditions will be required to

attend supplementary lectures as deemed necessary by the interview/audition
panel in order to satisfy the requirements of the course.
(d) To perform, at audition, a balanced and stylistically contrasting programme of
fifteen minutes music, consisting of not less than two works or songs. The
audition/interview panel reserves the right to hear all or part of any work
presented. Such programmes must include item(s) prescribed below (see page
4) appropriate to the applicant’s instrument/voice.

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 N.B. APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN ACCOMPANIST

(e) To take a Prepared Sight Reading Test by performing a piece given to the
applicant 10 minutes before the audition interview.

(f) To be interviewed.

The audition/interview panel, taking into account the excellence of the applicant’s
present performing ability and potential, will make the final selection. The annual
intake is 5/6 students approximately.

MATURE STUDENTS
Exemption from Leaving Certificate or equivalent academic requirements may be
made in the case of mature students who have reached the age of 23 before
commencing the course.

COURSE FEE
The fee for the BA in Music Performance course can be found on the enclosed insert.
This course is eligible under the Higher Education Scheme for payment of course
fees. In addition an annual registration fee is payable to Trinity College Dublin.

PRESCRIBED ITEMS FOR ENTRY AUDITION

Piano:
First Movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven.

Organ:
One choral prelude or one Fugue by J.S. Bach.

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Harpsichord:
One three part invention by J.S. Bach.

Violin, Viola, Cello and Guitar:

One unaccompanied movement by J.S. Bach

Double Bass:
Any study from Simandl Book No. 2

Concert Harp:
J.L. Dussek: Two movements (one fast one slow) from Sonata in C minor, Op. 2 No. 3

Recorder:
Study No. 1 by Bruggen from Five Studies for Finger Control.

Flute:
A movement of a Mozart Flute Concerto.

Oboe:
Study No. 20 or No. 30 by Ferling from 48 Studies or one study by Luft 24 Studies.

Clarinet:
Any two studies from “30 Studies” by Muller (Publ. Ricordi)

Bassoon:
Study No. 5 by Jancourt, from 26 Melodic Studies Op. 15

French Horn:
One Study from: Kopprash – Book 2, or Maxim Alphonse – Books 3,4,5 – or J. F.
Gallay – All 6 Books, - or Herman Neuling – Book 2.

Trumpet:
Two movements (one fast one slow) from Haydn or Hummel Concerto or Donato,
Prelude and Allegro.

Trombone:
Guilmant : Concertino

Percussion:
Snare – knowledge of rudimental vocabulary. One concert etude of three minutes
duration by Firth, Cirone or Delecluse.
Mallets – demonstrate two + four mallet skills including two octave
major/minor/chromatic scales and arpeggios. One concert etude or solo of three
minutes duration. Suggested authors: Goldenberg, Bach (adapted) or Vivaldi
(adapted).
Timpani – demonstrate technical proficiency with pitch matching and internal tuning,
rolls, cross-sticking and sight-reading. A two to four drum etude of three minutes
duration. Suggested authors: Goodman or Firth.

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Singing:
One Aria Antica, one Song or Aria in German or French and one song in English.

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