Music Studies

Music is a very large industry with many strands of activity: performing, composing, recording, video making, administration, teaching, criticism and journalism. Success in these areas does not necessarily rely on formal training – natural talent of course plays a major part and the ‘streets’ are probably still the best place to work on your rapping talents – but a third level education can definitely improve your skills in a variety of ways and prepare you for a professional career in music.

Musicians and singers can work in a diverse number of areas – as performers, arrangers or orchestrators, session or recording musicians, sound engineers or music teachers, as well as in advertising and the media.

Students considering a third level course in music should of course already be musicians of a decent standard if they are to be accepted on to their chosen programme. The career paths of music students tend to be less structured and straightforward than those interested in some other professions, but if you have the passion and talent to succeed, a music course is well worth considering.

Education
Music courses available in Ireland include degrees in Music, Applied Music, Music Technology, Music Education and Music Performance. You can take courses that feature Music with other subjects (such as Dance or Education), as well as the option of taking Music as one of the core subjects in an Arts degree. The CAO points needed range from 350 to 500, and a musical aptitude test is typically undertaken.

You can also study Music Performance, Technology & Management at the ‘Rock School’ in Ballyfermot College of Further Education. The CAO points required are lower than for degree courses, but candidates must still demonstrate their interest and capability in their chosen musical area.

Subjects on a Music course can include Musicianship, History of Music, Musicology, Music & Culture, Performance Studies, Music Industry Studies, Production and Composition. Students will also more than likely specialise in their chosen instrument, or in singing.

Music Technology courses are a little different and include less musical performance and more maths and engineering subjects. Examples include Electronic Music, Tonal Music Theory, Music Signal Processing and Recording Engineering. There is also the opportunity to take other Arts subjects, such as English or Psychology. You don’t necessarily have to play an instrument or do Leaving Cert Music to study Music Technology.

Performance can play a big part in a musical education, and most colleges and universities either have their own band/orchestra, or have strong links with one. Recitals and concerts are given regularly.

Options After Qualification
Unfortunately, you don’t get a degree in Music and instantly become a professional musician who can make a good living. Succeeding in the music industry (as with other creative industries) takes a lot of hard work, talent and sometimes a bit of luck.

Sound engineers have it a little easier than performers or composers, as they can work in a more nine-to-five environment for a studio or production house.

Further study is an option for graduates, with numerous postgraduate music courses available allowing students to increase their expertise in a specialised area, e.g. Music Education, Music Therapy, and Music Technology.

The Work
Professional musicians generally play instruments or sing for their suppers. This can mean playing in front of tens of thousands of people at a festival, or it can mean writing the score for a film or TV show, or providing the jingle for the new ‘Shake ‘n Vac’ ad. Either way, the working schedule involves plenty of time spent in rehearsals and preparation.

Sound engineers work in recording studios or in live venues and use all kinds of electronic and IT equipment to make sure the music sounds as intended. This work can be highly technical and people can spend more time in front of a PC than hanging out with musicians. Tasks can include ensuring recording equipment is working correctly, checking and maintaining sound levels, and compiling recordings for a final master version.

Producers work on every area of a musical project – a record producer, for example, matches the musical material to the artist, arranges songs, schedules rehearsals and generally makes sure that everything runs smoothly.

Music therapists use music to help people with physical, mental, emotional and physiological difficulties to express themselves and develop their potential.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
To be successful in the music industry, you need perseverance, dedication, and a strong desire to succeed. A natural ability and a good ear for music are also important qualities, and you should be prepared for hard work and subjective opinions.

Most people in the music industry don’t work usual office hours. This doesn’t mean it’s a cushy number – the hours can be long and anti-social, the work can be contract-based, temporary or irregular, and there can be lots of travel involved.

The Money
It is pretty hard to estimate what a typical musician earns. It obviously depends on how successful you are and how plentiful work is at any given time. Sound engineers can start on €23,000 per annum, which can increase with experience and ability to €57,000 a year for senior engineers.

The Jargon
Musicology: Studying and applying scientific methods and cultural contexts to music
Movement: A principal section of a symphony, sonata or other piece of music
Concerto: A composition for one or more principal instruments, to be accompanied by an orchestra

Further Resources
Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann
32 Belgrave Square
Monkstown
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 280 0295
Web: www.comhaltas.com
Email: enquiries@comhaltas.com

National Concert Hall
Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 417 0077
Web: www.nch.ie
Email: info@nch.ie

Music Network
The Coach House
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 671 9429
Web: www.musicnetwork.ie
Email: admin@musicnetwork.ie

Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)
Pembroke Row
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 661 4844
Web: www.imro.ie
Email: info@imro.ie

Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists
PO Box 4176
Dublin 1
Phone: 087 992 1746
Web: www.iacat.ie
Email: info@iacat.ie

Irish Recorded Music Association
IRMA House
1 Corrig Avenue
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 280 6571
Web: www.irma.ie
Email: irma_info@irma.ie