The Early Start Semester in
Musics in Ireland, which begins in late August, provides the
international visiting student with a series of vivid encounters with the rich
variety of musical traditions that forms Ireland's vibrant soundscape. Ranging
from the historic to the contemporary, the course explores Irish traditional
music, including the seventeenth-century harping repertory; popular music
forms, including such genres as jazz, rock and country music; and art music,
including the music of Georgian Dublin. Students will engage with these musics
by examining key moments in Ireland's musical past as well as considering their
continued resonance today.
Irish Traditional Music
Due to the phenomenal global success of Riverdance and groups such as The
Chieftains and Altan, Irish traditional music at the beginning of the 21st
century is one of the most popular folk musics on the international stage. We
will examine various aspects of these contemporary expressions of Irish culture
as well as exploring their historical roots: for example, the Belfast Harp
Festival of 1792, the folk revival of the 1960s and 70s and the impact of
recording on Irish music in America in the early 1900s. Cork city and
surroundings are home to a vibrant traditional music culture and University
College Cork is itself internationally renowned for its commitment to Irish
traditional music and its excellence in Irish traditional music studies. The
life and work of the composer Seán Ó Riada, a pivotal figure in
the revival of Irish traditional music and a former lecturer at University
College Cork, will also be studied, with particular attention to his
revitalisation of the Irish harping tradition.
Irish Popular Music
Through a variety of case studies, this section of the course explores both the
local voices in Irish popular music and Ireland's contributions to the
international scene. Ireland is known internationally for the quality of its
rock music in particular, notably through the music of groups such as U2 and
The Cranberries. Students will explore the emergence, growth and continuing
popularity of Irish acts on the international stage. As well as considering
Irish popular music from an international perspective, the course also examines
local music-making. The city of Cork itself provides a focal point for the
study of popular music: as a hotbed of singer-songwriter activity, as host to
Ireland's largest annual Jazz festival; as home to the late Rory Gallagher, one
of Ireland's best-loved rock icons.
European Art Music
Modern Ireland has possessed, since the 19th century, a rich tradition of
western art music. Among its strongest manifestations today are the classical
concerts promoted by such organizations as RTÉ (the national
broadcaster) and the thriving scene for the composition of new music. In
earlier times art music was largely a feature of urban life for the
Anglo-Irish, particularly in the city of Dublin which in the early 18th century
experienced a flowering of European music after the fashion popular in London.
This part of the course focuses on the music of Georgian Dublin during the
1740s, including the nine-month visit of George Frideric Handel and the first
performance of Messiah.
Field Trips
A series of field trips will take place throughout the programme. These have
been designed to provide first-hand experience of the musics and topics
discussed in class, and will include visits to sessions and concerts both
locally and nationally.
Elective Modules
Although the month-long pre-session course does not involve practical classes
in performance, students are able to select from the numerous performance
options offered by the Department of Music that are available once the Autumn
Semester begins at the end of September. For information on all Music courses
at UCC that are open to visiting students,
click here. Some courses are special options designed
exclusively for visiting students:
Entry Requirements
It is not necessary for students to have studied Music at university before, or
to be able to read music notation.
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