Bachelor Of Music (hons) in Cork Institute of Technology, Ireland

Bachelor Of Music (hons) in Cork Institute of Technology

Course summary

This four-year programme leads to the award of an Honours BMus Degree. The course offered by the CSM differs fundamentally from those available elsewhere in the country in a number of ways. In particular, Performance Studies are an integrated feature throughout the course and students receive credit for them proportional to their level of ability and specialisation.

One of the attractions of this Honours Degree course is the nature of Years 1 and 2, which are best described respectively as “Foundation” and “Transition”. The carefully coordinated elements of the Year 1 course seeks to ensure that every student is subsequently able to fulfil their potential, whatever specialisations are chosen. During Year 2, the continuation of core studies is balanced by the introduction of elements that ensure students can make an informed decision about which subjects they would like to concentrate on during the third and fourth years.

Whilst these might prove to be Performance Studies, or Music in the Community, or Pedagogic (Music Teaching) Studies, or Music and Technology, or Music Therapy, it is equally possible to specialise in Applied Musicianship Skills and/or Music History. Students specialising in conducting and/or orchestration reap the benefits of multiple sessions with the CSM’s most senior performing groups, including the Fleischmann Choir, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble.

There are three mandatory skill-based modules which are taken in each Semester. The remaining electives may be selected from a wide choice of modules: Community Music, Composition, Conducting, Counterpoint, Education, History, Music Technology, Music Therapy, Orchestration, Performance, and Research.

Career

There are many employment opportunities for music graduates apart from the obvious ones of performing and teaching. This course also enables students to develop the skills necessary for a career as a music/arts administrator, music librarian, conductor of amateur bands/choirs/orchestras/musical shows, music animator, music publicist/promoter, and music editor.

However, taking an Honours Degree in music does not mean that a graduate is restricted to a music driven career for the rest of their life. In addition, a growing number of employers outside the specific music business favour music graduates because of the combination of intellectual training, digital skills, interpersonal sensitivity and greatly enhanced general response rates represented by a musical training.