Music - Liturgical Music

This Masters programme is offered in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. It consists of theological and theoretical study of the Church’s liturgy, with specific attention to the area of liturgical music.



This joint academic and practice-based programme qualifies holders to undertake posts as organists, cantors, or directors of music at parish or diocesan level. The liturgical music academic component is balanced by an intensive course of supervised practical training in a number of core liturgical music disciplines.



Course Aims:



To provide an academic framework appropriate to the study of Theology at Masters level.

To provide students with an in-depth theological and theoretical formation in the Church's liturgy.

To form students in the historical, textual, doctrinal and technical aspects of liturgical music.

To enhance students' critical awareness of music composed for and performed in the liturgy.

To significantly enhance participants' competency and confidence in selected practical disciplines.

Year 1



Core Academic Modules

PG09708: Pastoral Practice of Liturgy

PG09484 Liturgy: Ritual, Theological and Historical Approaches

PG09487 Sacramental Theology: Liturgical and Systematic Aspects

LI08151 Introduction to Liturgy and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation

LI08203 The Celebration of the Eucharist

LM08101 Music in Christian Worship

LM09403: Aspects of Liturgical Music



Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered for certain candidates in respect of the following modules:

LI151: Introduction to Liturgy

LI203: the Eucharist / Liturgical Time



In the following Practical Modules, students take LM404: Liturgical Composition and choose between LM402: Organ Skills and LM405: Cantor Skills



Practical Modules

LM09404: Liturgical Composition

LM09402: Organ Skills I

LM 405: Cantor Skills I



Year 2



LM09409: Liturgical Composition II

LM09407: Organ Skills II

LM09408: Cantor Skills II

Dissertation

The course is especially suited to applicants who have studied Theology and Music to degree level. Candidates should normally have obtained at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I overall. The Faculty of Theology may also accept candidates whom it deems to have an equivalent standard. As the programme contains a significant practical component, prospective candidates will need, on application, to furnish evidence of proficiency in at least one of the following three areas: (a) Cantor, (b) Organ, (c) Liturgical Composition.



An interview will be part of the selection process.



Students whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: Application forms must be completed in full, and all documentation must be provided BEFORE an application can be considered. Applicants will not be called for interview if an application is incomplete.



Application Deadline:



30th June

For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications may be considered).



31st May

For non EU



Non-EU students should contact pgadmissions@spcm.ie for guidance on their application.

2 years full-time.

Course Start Date: September 2026

The programme qualifies holders to undertake the post of Organist, Cantor, or Director of Liturgical Music at parish, diocesan or national level.