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Music Performance

PLC Post Leaving Cert
MK ML

The BTEC in Music Performance is an exciting course which will develop your knowledge, understanding, skills and performance techniques as a musician for successful employment in the music industry or progression to further study.

Award Name BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4
NFQ Classification
Awarding Body Pearson
NFQ Level
Award Name BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5
NFQ Classification
Awarding Body Pearson
NFQ Level
Award Name NFQ Classification Awarding Body NFQ Level
BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 Pearson
BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 Pearson
Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Apply to:
Course provider

Duration

One or Two Years (option of second year to achieve a Higher National Diploma)

Entry Requirements

One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate or its equivalent with a performing ability on guitar, violin, piano/keyboard or singing. Ability to read music notation an advantage.
• Mature Applicants – experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications

Places are offered following successful interview and audition. Students should come prepared to play or sing 2 contrasting pieces with or without accompaniment. Video evidence will also be accepted in addition to the above.

Careers / Further progression

Career Opportunities
• Live Events
• Promotion
• Community Arts
• Music Business
• Music Performance
• Cultural Venue Operations
• Music Therapy

Higher Education Progression*
Examples of potential courses include:
• BIMM Dublin certified by TU Dublin:
BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music (TU961)

• DCU Dublin City University:
BA (Hons) in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance DC014

• TCD Trinity College Dublin:
Bachelor of Music (BMus) TR002
Bachelor of Music Education (BMusEd) TR009

• MTU Munster Technological University
(Cork School of Music Campus):
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Popular Music: Electrical Guitar MT931
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Popular Music: Electrical Bass MT932
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Popular Music: Keyboards MT933
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Popular Music: Voice MT935

• DkIT Dundalk Institute of Technology:
BA in Musical Theatre DK771

• Maynooth University:
Bachelor of Arts (Music) MH101

Plus numerous colleges in the UK offering degrees in rock, popular music and classical.

*Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. Please consult the individual college websites for more information on application. Information available also at www.cao.ie

QQI FET Links to CAO Courses

Course Web Page

Further information

Course commences in September 2024.

Enrolment Procedure

Step 1:
Applicants must apply online at www.bife.ie.

Step 2:
In some cases, applicants may be invited to attend for interview at the Institute. Applicants will be selected on suitability and a first come/first served basis. You should bring the following to the interview:
• A copy of Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
• A brief Curriculum Vitae
• A Portfolio of Work (where necessary)
• References (where necessary)

Step 3:
Successful applicants will be offered a place by post, subject to them achieving the basic entry requirements laid out in the prospectus/website and must secure their place by paying an acceptance fee of €50. All fees must be paid by Friday 30th August 2024. The €50 acceptance fee is non refundable. All other fees will be refunded if the applicant subsequently decides not to take their place before Friday 27th September 2024. Failure to pay the relevant fees may result in a lapse of your offer. All candidates who accept an offer agree to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute.

Step 4:
All learners must register at the Institute or on-line by the designated registration date.

International Applicants
The Institute welcomes applications from International Learners. Non EA applicants (applicants outside the European Area, i.e. outside EU & Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) must comply with Irish immigration requirements. Such applicants will have to secure a visa from the Immigration Section of the Department of Justice. As all courses are delivered in English, International students will be required to provide a certified qualification of proficiency in English where English is not the applicants first language.

Non-EU students will be required to pay the economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.

International applicants should apply directly to the Institute office for further information.

Mature students are welcome to apply

Fees
Courses at Bray Institute of Further Education are funded largely by the European Social Fund. Tuition costs are covered for Irish or EU citizens undertaking PLC courses. There is no application fee, however all learners are required to pay the following:

• An Acceptance Fee of €50, to be paid when offered a place on a course.
• A Resource contribution fee of €150 for learner services*, paid annually.

There is also a cost of registration with professional bodies for a small number of courses such as Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI).

*Resource fees are used as a general fund to provide learner resources for PLC courses including library services

Maintenance Grant
Learners on full-time approved courses at the Institute are entitled to apply for Maintenance Grants. The Grant is means tested. Learners should apply to SUSI, the online grant application system, through www.studentfinance.ie.
Learners in receipt of the maintenance grant must pay all the usual costs of the course.

Back to Education Initiative & VTOS
The Department of Social Welfare and The Department of Education and Skills administer these two schemes. In 2024, these schemes will become fully integrated into the college. These schemes offer unemployed adults an opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements and in some cases to receive extra benefits. Payments from DEASP normally establish eligibility. Previous educational level can also contribute.
To check your eligibility log onto www.studentfinance.ie or talk to the VTOS Co-ordinator. Some extra benefits may apply.

Yes

Places are offered following successful interview and audition. Students should come prepared to play or sing 2 contrasting pieces with or without accompaniment. Video evidence will also be accepted in addition to the above.

You can only apply online on the BIFE website by clicking on the "Apply Now 2024/2025" button at the top of any page on the college website Or
Click on the Application Weblink above.

Applications usually begin in mid December of the proceeding year of application. Early applications are always advisable to avoid classes filling up and increase your chances of getting a position.

Both theoretical and practical musicianship skills are covered, combined with performance opportunities, event management, music technology and recording. In addition, students will get a broad insight into the music business from lecturers who are experienced musicians and industry practitioners. If you want the foundations for launching your solo career, this is the course for you.

Programme of Study
HNC - Year One
• The Music Industry
• Marketing & Promotion for Musicians
• Professional Development
• Applied Music Theory
• Performance
• Instrumental Technique
• Songwriting
• The Evolution of the Instrument

HND - Year Two
• Creative Research Project
• Musical Direction in Practice
• Advanced Performance Skills
• Live Arrangement Skills
• Advanced Composition Techniques
• Advanced Sound Engineering
• Composing To A Brief
• Live Mixing

Components subject to change

Certification:
BTEC Higher National Certificate in Music (Performance) Level 6+
equivalence on the NFQ after year 1

BTEC Higher National Diploma in Music (Performance) Level 6+
equivalence on the NFQ after year 2 (603/2274/3)

Head of Department:
Seán Cryan

Course Co-ordinator:
Philip Dobie

Bray Institute of Further Education,
Tel: 01 282 9668
Email: bifeenquiries@kwetb.ie
Web: www.bife.ie

Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Apply to:
Course provider