MusicCeol

There is worldwide demand for the talents of Irish-trained musicians – both classical and traditional vocalists and musicians. This full-time degree course will prepare you for a career as an instrumental or vocal performer, teacher, composer or musicologist.

The course places a major emphasis on performance, combined with supporting academic study. Areas studied include composition, history of music, aural training, education studies, music technology, and supporting musicianship. In Years 3 and 4, you can build your own pathway with specialised modules in your area of interest.

Develop your musical skill by working with Ireland’s leading musicians for the entire duration of your degree through one-to-one instrumental/vocal lessons. You will also have a second study to further develop your musical talents. Check out our Staff Profiles.

The BMus in Performance is both a challenging and enjoyable course, combining competitive performance experience with a careful balance of musicianship and practical skills. What an enlightening four years!

You will have opportunities to showcase your talents by participating in a diverse programme of concerts, recitals and stage performances. A core element in the course is participation in ensembles, including: Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Opera Ensemble, Irish Traditional Music Ensemble, Big Band and Early Music Ensemble.  

Study Abroad Opportunities

Exchange opportunities are offered on a competitive basis. We have links with European and US institutions, including Columbia College Chicago, Ryerson University in Toronto, Metropolia University in Helsinki, the Liszt Academy in Budapest, and the Kódaly Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

Additional Requirements

Garda Vetting: Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.0 overall (or equivalent).

TU963 will be a direct application programme for 2025. 

Audition & Interview

All applicants applying for TU963 are required to attend an audition/interview. Precise information on dates and times of when to submit a portfolio or to attend a test/audition/interview will be notified directly to each applicant. Auditions take place on our Grangegorman campus.

Guide Dates

• Apply before 25 November 2024 for audition in December
• Apply before 1 February 2025 for audition in March
• All subsequent applications: Auditions in May 2025

This applies for all Irish, EU and UK applicants including Mature Applicants and Advanced Entry Applicants. All International Applicants should contact the TU Dublin International Office and the course chair Helen.Lawlor@tudublin.ie. International applicants will be invited to submit a video audition and will be facilitated by an online interview if required.

• Apply for an audition by completing this online form: Apply Now
• Once we receive your application we will contact you to arrange an audition.

The audition will usually comprise the performance of two contrasting pieces and may include sight-reading and scales (see detailed requirements below), aural assessment and a short interview. The Audition Panel may ask candidates to stop before the end of a piece in cases where they have been able to form a judgement. Candidates should be approximately Grade 7/8 standard or higher on an instrument or voice (or equivalent for traditional musicians).

The interview is intended to assess your suitability for entry to the course. You should be prepared to answer questions about your music studies, your experience of performing and your career aspirations.

There is no written exam as part of the audition. Successful applicants will sit a written assessment to allocate classes after registration. We will notify you of your audition results by email.

Audition Requirements

Department of Keyboard Studies

For keyboard (piano, church organ, classical accordion) auditions please note the following requirements: Repertoire: Candidates must perform (i) two contrasting pieces by classical composers and (ii) a short quick-study piece which will be available to candidates 2 weeks prior to the audition.

The minimum standard expected is Grade 7 or equivalent. A high standard of performance is expected. Ideally, candidates should have some public performance experience (competitions, recitals, concerts etc.).

At least one of the pieces must be by a composer from the following list: Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Debussy.

(Church organ and Classical accordion candidates may present pieces by composers not listed here)

Sight-reading: Candidates are expected to take a sight-reading test (Grade 7 level or equivalent)

Scales/Arpeggios: Candidates are expected to perform scales and arpeggios in the following keys: D flat, E flat, F,G, A, B: 4 octaves, hands together, major and minor (harmonic or melodic). Please note that the minimum metronome speed for scales is crotchet (4 semiquavers) = 88.

Quick Study: available online/by email from 2 weeks before the audition.

Interview: There will be a short informal interview to assess suitability to the programme. Applicants should be prepared to answer questions about their performance history, technical development and repertoire played during the last 2-3 years, including competitions, public performances, examinations etc.

NB. Please Note

• Film music, transcriptions, arrangements, popular, rock, light classical, self-composed, traditional Irish or jazz pieces are not accepted for repertoire requirements
• This degree programme does not cater for electronic keyboard.
• Organ applicants can request a copy of the specification of the instrument.
• View the piano piece for 2023

Organ

• Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces for manuals and pedals of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent, one of which should be by a Baroque composer.
• Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent). The specification for the main organ at the Conservatory is available here.

Harpsichord

• Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent, at least one of which should be by a Baroque composer.
• Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent)

Classical Accordion

• Repertoire: Applicants must perform two contrasting pieces of Grade 7/8 standard or equivalent.
• Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform (Grade 7 or equivalent)

Orchestral Department

Repertoire: Applicants must prepare two contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire of at least Grade 7 standard or equivalent. A high standard of performance is expected. Candidates may bring their own accompanist or have one provided upon request. Please note that backing tracks are not permitted.

Sight-reading: Applicants will be given a sight-reading test to perform

Scales/technical exercises: Applicants will be asked to perform scales and/or technical exercises appropriate to their instrument and level

Irish Traditional Music

2025 Applicants: We offer tuition on traditional: fiddle, harp, uilleann pipes, flute, tin-whistle, banjo, mandolin and voice.

• Instrumentalists: Two contrasting melodies (air & a set of dance tunes).
• Vocalists: Two contrasting songs (preferably, one from the Gaelic song tradition.)

Vocal Department

Repertoire: Applicants are required to prepare two contrasting songs from the classical repertoire, with piano accompaniment – an accompanist will be provided. Songs from modern musicals will not be accepted.

Further Information

Email: Helen.Lawlor@tudublin.ie

Our students are highly successful in their chosen fields. A degree in music gives you high-level expertise in your chosen field: excellence in vocal/instrumental tuition and ensemble experience. This is supported by university research-led academic lectures in a range of subjects.

Music students learn professional skills from first year through to graduation. They become skilled in a range of transferable skills including:

• Artistic collaborative practice
• Working to deadlines
• Project management
• Teamwork
• Self-directed learning
• Research

Conservatoire graduates have continued their careers in a diverse range of employment contexts including careers as:

• Professional musicians – orchestra/opera/traditional
• Music technology and recording/engineering
• Music teaching (secondary, primary, individual and group)
• Composers
• Researchers
• Lecturers
• Writers
• Broadcasters
• Music journalism

Many of our students have continued their education through Masters and Doctoral programmes both in Ireland and abroad.

Check out our alumni page to see our TU Dublin Conservatoire Graduates.

This is a sample timetable for Year 1, Semester 1 which gives an indication of class contact hours. Timetables are subject to change.  Up to date timetables will be provided on commencement. 

By doing the BMUS, not only did I receive intense one-to-one coaching to improve my singing, the academic facilities allowed me to comprehensively research areas of particular interest to me, to the extent that my final-year thesis on contemporary opera was chosen as the best undergraduate musicology dissertation in Ireland by the Council of the Heads of Music in Higher Education.

The BMus in Performance is both a challenging and enjoyable course, combining competitive performance experience with a careful balance of musicianship and practical skills. What an enlightening four years!

There is a great atmosphere at the college with a friendly community between students and staff. Thanks to having access to some of Ireland’s leading musicians, I have now completed the first year of the Master of Music course in performance at the Royal College of Music in London.

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.