Music courses

Alloallom8

Hey, I've been thinking of doing a music course in a Dublin college but I have no idea which is good (I've been told dit), I don't know how many points the courses need and my school doesn't do music for the leaving cert....so yeh I'm clueless but if anyone could enlighten me,
Thanks matt

Dublin_Bud

Heya, I'm at DIT going into 3rd year music - here's a wee run through of what's available:

The music courses at DIT are pretty good and there's two different levels you can take - the BMus/BMusEd degrees or the Foundation course.

If you've no formal school qualifications in Music then I'd suggest applying for the foundation course. AFAIK it gets you to/near the standard needed for the Degree course and offers one-to-one lessons in your instrument/voice, basic history of music and some music theory etc.

The Music dept is mostly housed in DIT Rathmines with some orchestral instument lessons in Chatham Row (off Grafton St) It's a fairly small campus with a great atmosphere - everyone knows everyone and it's well placed within Rathmines village. We've a gym/swimming pool, cinema, Subway, McDonalds and Tesco all within walking distance.

Hope this helps - let me know if you want any other info!!!

Cheers
Ray.

Alloallom8

Dublin_Bud wrote: »

Heya, I'm at DIT going into 3rd year music - here's a wee run through of what's available:

The music courses at DIT are pretty good and there's two different levels you can take - the BMus/BMusEd degrees or the Foundation course.

If you've no formal school qualifications in Music then I'd suggest applying for the foundation course. AFAIK it gets you to/near the standard needed for the Degree course and offers one-to-one lessons in your instrument/voice, basic history of music and some music theory etc.

The Music dept is mostly housed in DIT Rathmines with some orchestral instument lessons in Chatham Row (off Grafton St) It's a fairly small campus with a great atmosphere - everyone knows everyone and it's well placed within Rathmines village. We've a gym/swimming pool, cinema, Subway, McDonalds and Tesco all within walking distance.

Hope this helps - let me know if you want any other info!!!

Cheers
Ray.

Thanks,
Sounds good, I'll be sure to check that out and just wondering do you think that the foundation course would be needed or would it be a waste of time?

Dublin_Bud

Alloallom8 wrote: »

Thanks,
Sounds good, I'll be sure to check that out and just wondering do you think that the foundation course would be needed or would it be a waste of time?

It depends on a couple of things...

Firstly, what your instrument is and your musical background. I'm a singer and have sung "classical" repertoire most of my life, but I auditioned at the same time as a couple of guitarists who studied music at school but had no classical guitar experience - they were recommended the Foundation course to give them that preparation for the degree. I also know a few singers who sang Trad pieces at audition and again were referred to the Foundation course. The music course is geared more towards "classical" music but there is a fairly healthy trad dept within that.

Also, how's your musical theory?? AB grades may help make up for the lack of Leaving Cert music.

The good thing about the audition process at DIT is that the panel will tell you what level they think you're suited for. What I should also say is that the Foundation course is not covered under the free fees thing - you'd have to pay for it...

ritak10

Hi
My son is doing music for leaving cert and has grade 6 on piano but will not get points to.do a B.Mus.ca 450 .
He is very musical .just wondering if the foundation level would be good as a way into other music courses?

Dublin_Bud

Hey,

Yeah, the foundation course would be a good way to get into Music degrees - afaik it has a good, broad and gets everyone to the same level.

I'd say, however, to get your son to apply to the conservatory and the admissions panel can recommend which course he would be better suited to - you might find he'll get on to the degree on the strength of his audition and any theory knowledge he has from the AB grades.

Hope this helps,
Ray.