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University College Cork

Experimental Sound Practice

Course Outline
This course is for those undertaking creative work involving sound, including notated or recorded compositions; improvisations; sound art; visual art with a sound component; music theatre; performance art; installations etc. It includes studies in technique; repertoire; artistic ideas; working with instruments and performers; audio/video technology and practical issues in bringing your creative work to performance.

The course welcomes students from a remarkably broad range of backgrounds, and creative work produced for it can be extremely diverse. You are encouraged to experiment with a huge range of possibilities. Staff have specialisms in concert music; dance music; experimental music and art; video art with sound; improvisation; sound Art; field recording. Basic working knowledge of music technology is expected; a basic ability to read music and notation is desirable.

The MA in Experimental Sound Practice is a one-year full-time course, involving both taught components and a portfolio of independent, supervised creative work, totalling 90 credits.

The programme can also be taken part-time over 24 months (by day). The course structure for part-time students would be subject to agreement with the Department of Music.

Why Choose This Course
The MA in Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. They encompass in-demand music and video technologies, cutting edge creative techniques across several disciplines, and an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices. The eclectic mix allows you to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets you apart from others in your field(s). In contrast to many MAs that follow more traditional paths, the MA in ESP is about the future.

Entry requirements

Requirements
In order to be permitted to proceed to the MA in Experimental Sound Practice, a candidate must hold an Honours Bachelor's degree, with a grade of Second Class Honours, Grade II or higher, and demonstrate experience in the creation of music or other sonic art.

Applicants with an appropriate professional equivalent (e.g. professional musician or other artist of high standing, etc.) will also be considered. Final acceptance is subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio of sound-based creative work in whatever form is suitable (musical scores, recordings, videos, computer programmes, documentation of Sound Art installations etc.) and may also be required to attend an interview with members of the programme team.

Final acceptance is subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements available here.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 Years Part Time
CKE78 Full-time; CKD50 Part-time

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information
The MA in Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. They encompass in-demand music and video technologies, cutting edge creative techniques across several disciplines, and an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices. The eclectic mix allows you to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets you apart from others in your field(s). In contrast to many MAs that follow more traditional paths, the MA in ESP is about the future.

Further enquiries

Dr. John Godfrey
e: j.godfrey@ucc.ie
t: +353 (0)21 490 4534 / 4530
https://www.ucc.ie/en/music-theatre/music/postgrad/

Ms. Celena O'Brien
e: music@ucc.ie
t: 00 353 21 4904530

Subjects taught

Students take 90 credits as follows:
MU6100 Expanded Instrument Systems (10 credits)
MU6101 Digital Music and Media Composition (10 credits)
MU6102 Composing in Real Time (10 credits)
MU6103 Sound Art (5 credits)
MU6104 Composing with Field Recordings (5 credits)
MU6105 Experimental Music (5 credits)
MU6031 Sound Studies and Musicology (5 credits)

Plus
10 credits (1 x 10 credit or 2 x 5 credit modules) selected from all modules available to final year, undergraduates or postgraduates studying Music. In special circumstances, students may be able to select courses offered by other departments which they have not previously completed. The selection of courses is undertaken in consultation with the student's mentor; those selected should be complimentary to those already being studied elsewhere in the programme and offer the student a significant addition to their skillset that is pertinent to the overall aims of the degree. Module selection should take place in consultation with the student's mentor and the host department of the module. Module choice may be constrained by timetabling and capacity factors.

Part II
MU6024 Portfolio (30 credits)

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Comment

Course Practicalities
Who teaches this course
John Godfrey, Course Coordinator
Jeffrey Weeter

Assessment method

The taught courses are assessed through several assignments undertaken during and after the courses. The portfolio consists of several compositions/artworks submitted in September.

Application date

Applications for academic year 2020/2021 are open.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means offers are made four times a year on a rolling basis. Some courses have one specific closing date, please check your course prospectus page for this information.

The UCC rounds closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of full applications:
For all completed applications received by January 10th 2020
Offers will be made by January 24th 2020

For all completed applications received by March 2nd 2020
Offers will be made by March 16th 2020

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2020
Offers will be made by May 15th 2020

For all completed applications received by July 1st 2020
Offer will be made by July 15th 2020

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity.

Non-EU Closing Date: 15 June
Non-EU Applicants: Information for Non-EU applicants may be found on the International Office Website https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/