Diploma Mus Perf (Doctor in Music Performance)

Doctoral Academic Studies Coordinator: Denise Neary

The Doctor in Music Performance (DMusPerf) degree was established in 2006 and provides a qualification of prestige and excellence in musical performance and research.

The key distinguishing feature of the DMusPerf is that it is intended to enable candidates to make a contribution to the advancement of knowledge of professional practice in their own field of music.

Because it is related directly to their chosen career path, the performance-based character of the programme gives an opportunity to advanced musicians, who are otherwise unlikely to study for a PhD, to undertake research into problems that are of direct relevance to their own interests and organisational concerns.

Performance doctorates are designed to assist in developing excellent performing musicians who can also research as professionals. The RIAM is uniquely positioned in Ireland to provide teaching at this level with a staff of international calibre in the areas of research and performance.

The DMusPerf is a full-time programme over 4 academic years. All modules are delivered at The Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Academic components

Academic work will break down into research and musicological seminars in year 1, with dissertation supervision in years 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Academic Studies modules are:

Introduction to Musicology

Research Methods

Topics in Musicology

Lecture Recital

Dissertation

Performance components

The DMusPerf course requires the candidate to give many public performances over a 4 year span. These include:

3 full length recitals, each lasting 70 minutes

2 concerto performances totalling 50 minutes

1 chamber music recital lasting 50 minutes

1 lecture recital lasting 50 minutes

Performances in Dublin will normally be examined as a live performance. Any performance outside Dublin can be examined by submitting a high-quality unedited video recording of the performance.

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