The MMusPerf Programme attracts keyboard players who have achieved a high level of technical and musical skills in their undergraduate studies. The objectives of this 2 year postgraduate programme are to further develop the student, to:
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Perform demanding musical repertoire to a professional standard with technical assurance, confidence and a sense of individual artistry
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Demonstrate critical understanding of the different demands of a range of performance groupings through the assimilation and public performance of a range of demanding musical repertoire
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Demonstrate critical understanding of a musical concept through composition, music technology or academic study clearly and unambiguously
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Critically assess historical research with the intention of enhancing musical interpretation and contributing to the field of learning.
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Demonstrate the ability to engage in the business-related aspects of the life of a professional musician with confidence through course work and assignments
You will have solo, chamber music and orchestral performance opportunities as soloist and member of the ensemble. Our weekly keyboard performance classes will give you the chance to perform your chosen solo works and you will have time with an accompanist to help to prepare you for concerto performance.
Pillars of Study
The Masters in Music Performance Programme has 5 pillars of study:
Principal Study
For two hours weekly over thirty weeks, you will receive one-to-one tuition from a teacher recognised for excellence in their field. You will experience masterclasses from internationally recognised performers in solo repertoire and chamber music.
Assessments are designed to ensure that you cover a substantial amount of repertoire across both years and are open to the public.
- Mid-year recital (35 - 40 minutes) taking place in February and open to the public.
- An end-of-year full-length recital (60 minutes)
- Candidates must also prepare a major concerto in full to be performed [with piano accompaniment] at an appropriate time during the year.
Chamber Music
MMusPerf students are expected to cover in detail a minimum of 30 minutes of chamber music for a range of ensembles. Typical chamber music works at Masters level include major cornerstones of the repertoire by Brahms, Beethoven up to Schoenberg and later 20th century composers.
RIAM’s MMusPerf pianists frequently represent the institution in exchanges with institutions such as the Royal Northern College of Music, The Juilliard School of New York and the Liszt Academy, Hungary, through chamber music projects.
Voice and piano duos are encouraged, and MMusPerf students frequently perform the major works of this repertoire, such as the song cycles of Schubert, Schumann and Wolf, and rich repertoire of the French Mélodie.
RIAM has a collection of early pianos and these are used in projects run through our Historical Performance Department. Performances are tailored in many instances to the great Irish stately homes, which would have first hosted musical evenings of such music.
Large Ensemble Performance
Throughout the 2 years you will take part in RIAM Chorale, either as a member of the choir or as rehearsal pianist. There are additional opportunities to play in orchestras if piano parts are required, and as continuo in RIAM’s Baroque works.
Academic Studies
The academic component of the MMusPerf degree adds an intellectual foundation to your practical keyboard studies, enriching your playing.
You have the opportunity to explore a specialist academic elective of your own choice: Dissertation, Composition, Music technology, Analysis or Conducting.
This enables you to shape your learning according to the direction you wish to go as a professional – composer/performer; artistic researcher; creator of electro-acoustic installations and much more. You will receive one-to-one supervision and prepare major academic or compositional works.
RIAM Holistic- the Working Musician (optional for all Master students)
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. MMusPerf students have the option to take the following classes:
For a more detailed description of the course requirements, please refer to our course handbook.
