Bachlor Mus Perf (Wind, Brass and Percussion)

An Introduction from the Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion, David Collins

The RIAM Wind, Brass and Percussion department are proud of our student focused approach to learning and development and the calibre of our students and graduates.

Our students take priority at every stage of our degree programmes and we welcome regular international visiting artists and teachers for masterclasses and collaborative projects.

Additionally, all Bachelor and Masters students receive 2 hours of individual tuition each week which is unrivalled nationally. Feedback at weekly performance class, repertoire sessions, audition training and screened auditions all prepare our students with the skills they need to successfully negotiate and strive in the profession.

We want our students to have an experience that mirrors directly the music profession. Orchestral playing is a core element of your training at the RIAM and our teaching faculty are drawn from RT‰ National Symphony, RT‰ Concert Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and contemporary music group Crash Ensemble.

In addition to intensive RIAM Podium projects led by international conductors, the RIAM offers side by side scheme opportunities with RT‰ National Symphony Orchestra as well as internal and external competitions, all of which make the RIAM the ideal place to study.

The relatively small department size means that students receive more time working with visiting artists, more orchestral performance opportunities and a closer working relationship with our teaching faculty. RIAM Alumni from our Wind, Brass and Percussion department currently hold positions in orchestras across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Recent WBP masterclasses include visits from J¶rg Widmann (RIAM International Visting Artist), Sir. James Galway, Peter Whelan, Marie-Luise Neunecker, H¤kan Hardenberger and David Herbert.

Head of Woodwind, Brass & Percussion: David Collins [email protected]

Photo: Colm Hogan

Course overview

The BMusPerf degree is four years long. Each study year has 30 weeks in total from September to June - 24 academic teaching weeks and six performance spotlight weeks. There are no academic classes during the performance spotlight weeks, but your practical lessons continue across all weeks.

The performance spotlight weeks provide you with the time and space to focus solely on WBP solo or ensemble projects with international and national tutors and conductors.

The BMusPerf degree at the RIAM takes in small numbers of WBP students each year, and this is for a reason. If you study with us we will give you a lot of contact time with expert tutors. This includes:

Two hours each week in your one-to-one lesson

An hour a week with an accompanist

Weekly chamber music coaching

Access to a range of orchestral opportunities

Frequent masterclasses

Small academic classes to help you excel in theoretical studies

5 pillars of study

The course consists of five pillars:

Principal Study

Chamber Music

Large Ensemble Performance

Supporting Academic Studies

RIAM Holistic the working musician

Principal Study

At the heart of the B MusPerf WBP programme are core lessons with your principal study teacher. You will have two hours of one-to-one lessons per week, supported by a further hour each week with your piano accompanist. In addition, weekly performance classes and frequent masterclasses with international artists ensure that WBP players are able to grow technically and musically over the four years of the programme.

Years 1 and 2 support you in underpinning and maximizing your technique. Mid-year technical exams focus on mastery of the required studies and ability to sight-read. The end-of-year exams require performances of suitable repertoire to highlight your developing skills.

Years 3 and 4 focus on helping you develop to a professional standard. The mid-year exam in year 3 is a mock orchestral audition, and in year 4 is a full Concerto performance. The end of year exams require you to perform standard recital repertoire and encourage performances of contemporary works.

Chamber Music

In all four years students are coached in chamber music by expert tutors. WBP players are encouraged to work in duos, trios and quartets. In later years, students tackle the larger WBP chamber repertoire up to dectets.

Our chamber musicians frequently perform in national and international venues such as the National Gallery of Ireland, American Irish Historical Society (New York) and the Centre Culturel Irlandais (Paris).

The RIAM Percussion Ensemble is a dedicated group that performs cornerstones of the percussion chamber repertoire under the guidance of Principal Percussion at the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Richard O'Donnell. This group performs in the USA annually and commissions works from exciting young composers to add to the repertoire for this ensemble type.

Large Ensemble Performance

Throughout the 4 years you will take part in RIAM Podium, the Centre for Performing Ensembles. WBP students will perform in the following ensembles:

The RIAM Philharmonia, a sinfonietta orchestra specialising in late 18th century repertoire and cornerstones of the 20th century

RIAM Wind Ensemble, an un-conducted group

RIAM Early Music Ensemble, learning the techniques of 17th century by using Baroque instruments

RIAM Opera Orchestra, which accompanies the RIAM's fully-staged projects

RIAM Contemporary Music Ensemble, tackling 20th century and premiering newly written works

RIAM also has professional mentoring agreements for WBP students with the RTE Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Irish Baroque Orchestra

Supporting Academic Studies

The academic component of the degree adds an intellectual foundation to your practical WBP studies, making you a more thoughtful and interesting musician.

In years one to three, you will study a number of core modules: Harmony and Counterpoint, Aural training, Analysis and History. There are also shorter modules in Music Technology, Instrumental Pedagogy, and Free Composition.

In Year four you have the opportunity to explore a specialist elective of your own choice: Dissertation, Composition, Music technology, Analysis or Conducting.

RIAM Holistic- the working musician

The fifth pillar of study is designed to make you a flexible and adaptable artist, ready in mind and body for the demands of a portfolio career in music. Students study:

Career Strategy

Entrepreneurship

The principles of pedagogy

Music in the community

Contemporary music collaborations

Yoga and Feldenkrais

Performance psychology

For a more detailed description of the course requirements, please refer to our course handbook

Your application for RIAM undergraduate and postgraduate will consist of:

1. Online application
2. Audition & Interview
   • Submission of recorded performance & written theory test online
   • Online interview and ear tests