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MUS20730

Academic Year 2025/2026

Irish Traditional Music Practices Autumn 2025-26 (MUS20730)

Subject:
Music
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Music
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Peter Moran
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will train students to put traditional Irish music theory into practise. Students will be introduced to a wide range of traditional repertoire, styles and techniques, both ancient and modern, regional and international, as taught by leading artists in the field. Students will then apply these skills to their own performances, compositions or arrangements, which will be submitted at the end of the semester.

Students will work on one major project and one minor project, drawing on a combination of the following options:

1) Performance
2) Composition/Arrangement
3) Essay/Field Work

1) Performance
The Major Performance option entails learning tunes in class every week, and performing them all in a concert (usually performed in Week 11 or 12).
The Minor Performance option entails learning only the accompanying chords for the tunes, or else learning just a small number of the tunes in class.

2) Composition/Arrangement
Major Compositions will be an original work or set of tunes, arranged and harmonised for the full ensemble, submitted as a music score and parts, demonstrating a clear understanding of the modes and rhythms of traditional Irish music.
Minor Compositions will be a single original tune, performed solo (or in a small ensemble), which does not have to be notated or harmonised, and which demonstrates a clear understanding of the modes and rhythms of traditional Irish music.
Major Arrangements of traditional tunes will be arranged creatively and harmonised for the full ensemble, submitted as a music score and parts.
Minor arrangements of traditional tunes will entail only the melody arranged creatively for the full ensemble, which does not have to be notated or harmonised.

3) Essay/Field Work
Major Essay/Field Work projects will be 3000 words plus bibliography, either: researching a topic covered in class; or a closely related topic, to be approved by MC; or based on an interview with a living traditional Irish musician.
Minor Essays/Field Work will be either: 1000 words (with references) researching a topic covered in class; or a written account of a personal interview with a living traditional Irish musician; or a performance of a tune which the student has learned directly from a living traditional Irish musician.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students completing this module will:

1. Learn to perform a broad repertoire of traditional Irish music
2. Learn to perform traditional repertoire from related music traditions (e.g. Scotland, the Balkan region, contemporary compositions, etc.)
3. Understand some of the variety of regional styles in Ireland
4. Learn skills of composing and arranging traditional music
5. Conduct field work, interviewing living musicians and collecting tunes (optional)
6. Develop practical skills pertaining to the rehearsal process, including preparing scores and parts, recording, performing, and working together in a small ensemble

Indicative Module Content:

Performing traditional Irish music
Performing music from related traditions
Accompanying traditional Irish music
Composing and Arranging
Traditional Modes and Rhythms
Field Work
Notation
Rehearsing, Recording, Performing

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Lectures

24
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
1. Guest lectures from leading traditional Irish artists
2. Regular assignments responding to the guest lectures
3. In-module supervision and feedback from Module Coordinator
4. Autonomous Student Learning - students will work on their major project throughout the semester (rehearsing, composing, arranging, notating, or writing and researching)
5. Intensive rehearsals and recording sessions towards the end of term

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students in this ensemble must be proficient on a musical instrument. They are expected to have a sufficient level of musical ability and experience that they will understand the terminology used in class (e.g. discussing scales, chords, rhythms, instrumental techniques, etc.) and be able to contribute to class discussions, rehearsals and performances. Specific experience of performing traditional Irish music is not required (although many students who join this ensemble tend have some experience in that area). Less experienced performers can choose to play an accompanying instrument for their minor project, and they can choose a combination of essay writing, field work, and composing or arranging for their major project.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Students will be expected to demonstrate that they are making clear progress either rehearsing, composing, or arranging a major project week-on-week, culminating in a public performance in Week 12. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
70
 No
Individual Project: Students will submit a minor project in the form of a small composition or arrangement, or a short essay, or fieldwork, or a performance on an accompanying instrument. (1st draft due in mid-term) Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 12 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive personal feedback from the Module Coordinator throughout the semester.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 16:00 - 17:50
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