Music in Maynooth

Scotty C

Hi everyone,
I'm really interested in studying music when I go to university. I have read all the usual propaganda from the university web sites etc... They all seem quite the same, long and boring. I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to tell me what music is really like in Maynooth.
What is the breakdown of boys and girls studying music. I know their are generally more girls than boys in Maynooth but what about studying music, is it all girls or is that just wishful thinking?
Also I looked up the timetables on the web and music students seem to have very few hours, is this correct or are the timetables incomplete?
I would really appreciate someone from Maynooth responding to this as I just cant decide from the college literature where I should go! If you had a choice of any University in Ireland to study music in would you have picked Maynooth?
Thanks allot and I may see some of you in the future!

catho_monster

The music department in maynooth is recognized as the best in the country.

yes, there are far more girls than boys!

and yes, you dont really have too many hours in college. 1st year you have to take another subject as well as music, so that will take up some time, 2nd year i think we had wednesdays off and 3rd year i think we had two days off a week. but thats representative of the amount of assignments / practice you need to be working on in those times off!

i can definately say that if i had my time over, I would still come back to maynooth and to the music department.

in fact, i shudder at the thought off attending lectures in any of the other music departments I've been to... its just a different vibe. maynooth is more friendly...

Good luck!!

Seanie M

Yeah, definitely go for the music course in Maynooth.... even if only for the girls!

shroomfox

Well, I was a guy in Music and we were outnumbered by about five to one, maybe more. (Not a looker in the bunch, though...:D ) It's kind of an odd priority though. If it's that important, two words: student nursing.

Arts students in general tend to have about 11-14 hours a week. Actually, Music tend to have a sneaky practice of cramming extra modules in that aren't on the timetable, so when you count for these (and Tutorials and Instrumental/Vocal lessons and Choir), Music is actually probably the most intensive Arts course (Psychology might pip it, but I'm not sure).

And the homework always takes bloody ages as well.

Still, I enjoyed it, even if I didn't go in that much.

petals

I do music in maynooth and it's deadly craic. You should def come here. I was doing it through arts and that is a big class plus they do less music then I changed to BMus and it's just brill we do lots of cool music modules as well. ON THE BOY:GIRL ratio thingy in my BMus class it's about 50:50.

It's brilliant really and the music ball rocks just so ya know if ya do come here you should definately go to the music ball.:D

slumped

I did the BMusEd in Trinity and DIT and would recommend it to anyone but only if the course is run in the RIAM and NOT DIT!

As for Maynooth being the best in the country, I disagree strongly.

It is the best in the greater Dublin area, but the UCC courses and CSM courses are THE best.

Don't do Music as a single subject in TCD or anywhere else. Do a BA with one other subject. Much better job prospects.

Slumped

ya-what-now?

Have to say I'd agree with Slumped on the doing another subject! I'm doing Music through Arts with another subject and I'd really recommend it.

I was really tempted to do the B.Mus as I got offered a place before the leaving cert but decided to go wit the Arts instead. Like honestly, I'd prefer to be just studying music, but in all reality I think ya need the other subject just for security sake.

Also, I remember at the open day for NUIM, at the music talk, and somebody asked the prof of music, what's the difference between getting a degree in music through Arts and doing the B.Mus and he said it's no difference...that's what really made me do Arts... I was afraid I'd end up with a **** degree in music by doing it through Arts but that's not so...the B.Mus students only do a few modules more than us!

Good Luck!

slumped

slumped wrote:

I did the BMusEd in Trinity and DIT and would recommend it to anyone but only if the course is run in the RIAM and NOT DIT!

What's wrong with the dit?

slumped

OK - here you go - remember these relate to the 'Conservatory' of Music and Drama

1. Right hand does not know what left is doing (Lecturers kept in dark, teachers not knowing whats going on)

2. Locations - sold Adelaide Road, now students travel between Chatham Row and Rathmines for lessons. Chatham Row is outdated and needs to be demolished.

3. Budgets are often just spent on frivilous concerts (I played in NCH once with an ensemble, there were less than 200 in the audience - there was no marketing done) The budget was just spent so they could get the same again next year (at least this is a story I heard)

4. Some very dubious lecturers, some with little experience.

5. RIAM has some of the best teachers in the country.

6. RIAM has John O'Connor, DIT offers Bernadette Greevy!

Shall I go on??

S

The Mad Hatter

slumped wrote:

6. RIAM has John O'Connor, DIT offers Bernadette Greevy!

K, I don't know or care about the rest, but from what I've seen of John O'Connor, he's a pretty lousy teacher.

Good player, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't seem to have any idea what his students are doing half the time (especially when he's trying to bash out the orchestral part of a concerto while 'listening')

funky penguin

Mods, apologies for zombifying the thread, but my question will reach now immediately reach my target audience.

I know its impossible to tell for sure, but at what level of practical and theory should one be at before considering the BMus in Maynooth? Averages and estimations are greatly appretiated.

slumped

funky penguin wrote:

Mods, apologies for zombifying the thread, but my question will reach now immediately reach my target audience.

I know its impossible to tell for sure, but at what level of practical and theory should one be at before considering the BMus in Maynooth? Averages and estimations are greatly appretiated.

Speaking as a teacher who has experienced the new LC syllabus and the first year of college I would say that the 'dumbing down' of the LC Music syllabus has in no way assisted those who want to study music at third level

Universities did not dumb down their first year courses and ask any lecturer in music in third level and they will tell you that the standard of new first years is way below what it was 8-10 years ago.

To answer your question, a good solid grounding in basic harmony (4 part SATB), a brief oversight on the history of music and a flair for playing an instrument (grade 6-7 minimum) would be the basic req. so you don't feel like your sinking.

Hope it goes well for you.

S

Cool_CM

Stay away from music technology, they make you do discreet maths and java, neither of which are fun at all

LundiMardi

I have to ask, what are the entrance exams like for music courses? Because, even though i'm a musician and i have been told i'm a talented one at that, my theory isn't up to scratch at all. So i'm thinking it would be hard for me to get into any music course.

funky penguin

Here is a sample paper.

Tis quite basic stuff. You could learn it fairly quickly is a spot.

Moomee

Hey . . . I recently went to the interview in Maynooth and I'm DYING to get in only I don't think I gave a good impression of myself. Is it difficult to get in ? Any help wud be much appreciated. =]

Rozabeez

Moomee, this is a very old thread and I can't imagine most of the original posters will be around to help you. There is a thread at the top of the page for questions regarding subjects and courses.

Thwip!

if nothing else, i'm getting free piano lessons as a result of being in this course.....if thats not fantastic then i dont know what is

banquo

Funky is asking about doing music! Fitting, a few days from the end

funky penguin

*Sniff*

Memorieeeeeees