THE LEARNING CURVE

With Irish artists officially holding 7% of the UK albums and singles market, an achievement unmatched by any other Irish industry, more and more people are being attracted to careers in the music industry.

With the music scene at home healthier than it s been for a long time and more and more artists taking their cue from the likes of Kieran Goss and David Gray and ploughing an independent furrow, there is a parallel need for professional back-up in a wide array of areas.
The Celtic Tiger economy has also created new opportunities for Irish people in general to progress their careers. It isn t always essential but nine times out of ten, it s a major plus if you re equipped with the relevant qualifications. Not surprisingly therefore, we have seen a tremendous upsurge in both the demand for appropriate courses in music subjects and in the competition to attract enrolments to those courses ahead of the traditional study seasons of Autumn and Winter.
So, if you are one of the many people currently reviewing your study and career options, possibly even confused and frustrated by the myriad options available in an endless number of permutations, here s an introductory overview of the kind of music courses that are available either for those who wish to expand their education to meet career objectives or for personal pleasure and fulfilment.

NEWPARK MUSIC CENTRE
The Access Course at the Newpark Music Centre is a one-year part-time course designed to prepare students to audition for the Centre s own Professional Musician Training Course. The Access Course costs #700 and includes an hour-long instrument-based tuition every week, as well as classes in reading skills and ear training. Entry is by audition.
The Professional Musician Training Course itself is now in its fifth year and costs #1,500. This one-year full-time practical course is intended specifically to prepare participants for careers as professional musicians. It s a certificate qualification on completion of one year. It also operates as a foundation year for the LGSM (Licentiate Of Guildhall School Of Music, London) diploma in jazz studies. Auditions for potential participants are held in May.
As fellow members of the International Association of Schools Of Jazz, the LGSM and the Newpark Music Centre offer a licentiate diploma course in jazz studies. This is an internationally-recognised qualification and covers instrument tuition, jazz improvisation, ear training, harmony and chord voicings, arranging and jazz history. The diploma is awarded after examinations in June. Admission is through audition or on successfully completing the afore-mentioned certificate course.
The diploma course is done over two years. The first year (costing #900) is part-time, while the second (or diploma) year (costing #1,500 including exam fee) is full-time.
Those interested are invited to attend an Open Day on 6th March, including an introductory talk at 10 am, followed by a visit to classes and workshops. There s a question and answer session at noon regarding the course.
For further information contact: Hilda Milner, Newpark Music Centre, Newtownpark Ave, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Tel: 01-2883740 Fax: 01-2883989 and e-mail to

SOUNDLINK
Soundlink is an exciting new training course in Music, Music Business, Radio Production and Sound Engineering. The course is full-time and runs for two years, with certification from the NCVA Level 2 in Music-Performing Arts. (It does not run to the academic year)
Soundlink is open to any person over the age of 17 with a disability, specific learning difficulty or a general health issue that has prevented access to mainstream work or training. There are no course fees. Soundlink is delivered by a dynamic team of Music Industry Professionals and Organisations. The course endeavours to introduce students to key players in the music industry, allowing them to foster their own contacts and develop innovative ideas. This is achieved through visiting guest lectures, site visits, project based work such as CD recording and production, and the organisation of public events.
Students avail of an in-house digital recording studio, with external training in some of Dublin s leading studios.
The final element in the programme assists students in securing work placements through the Work Experience module in their specific areas of interest. 90% of past students are currently working in the sector.
For further info contact: Jody Ackland or Finola McTernan at 01-2781500 or

PULSE RECORDING COLLEGE
Pulse Recording College is a state-of-the-art facility with two fully-equipped recording studios (including 24-track digital), lecture facilities and other amenities. The 24-track studio also functions as a commercial facility with close links to the mainstream music industry, thus enabling students to work with the latest technology in a professional audio environment.
Pulse is the first and only organisation in Ireland to offer Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the City and Guilds 1820 Certificate in Sound Engineering, recognised internationally as the industry standard, thus giving Pulse graduates a keen edge in the marketplace.
A key element in the Pulse Recording College is their work experience programme. Students are assisted in gaining work placements according to their availability and preference, in a professional work environment where they can observe as well as contribute in those areas for which they are training. In previous years students have been found work in recording studios, tape duplication plants, maintenance companies and elsewhere. Graduates have gone on to full employment with Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Windmill Pictures, Westland Recording Studios, the NCH, Ardmore, CTI, Today FM and FM 104, and have worked with artists like U2, Donal Lunny, Brian May, 5ive, The Corrs, Kylie, The Cranberries, Elvis Costello, Erasure, Westlife and on the recent Witnness event, Slane and more!
Pulse is conveniently located at 67 Pleasants Place, Dublin 8, a mere stroll from the city centre and from the main student accommodation centres of South Dublin.
For further information contact Naomi Moore at 01-4784045.
BALLYFERMOT COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
Hitherto known as the Senior College, The Ballyfermot College Of Further Education, contains a student population of almost 2,000, with 1,400 taking post-secondary PLC courses and over 1,600 part-time participants. The aim of the college is to provide training to meet the requirements of modern business, industry and social services as well as newer areas like radio, television, animation, computing and electronics. The college also aims to provide part-time courses for the wider community in the professional skills, cultural and recreational areas.
One of the most popular courses provided by what is affectionately known as the Rock School is their Certificate In Popular Music Performance. This course provides a working environment in which students can develop skills in self-expression, musical composition, presentation and performance. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the music industry and have the opportunity to work creatively together. The course also introduces students to the composition of music using MIDI interfacing. Live performances in city centre venues are also an exciting and integral feature of the course.
Another popular course at Ballyfermot is the Higher National Diploma In Music Management And Music Production (BTEC). This course is an integrated programme of learning, with the emphasis
on developing the personal skills required for professional management in the music industry.
Students of this course study the domestic and international music industry, the production of music events and the operation of record deals. In addition, a wide range of business skills are covered on the course including marketing, public
relations and legal studies. Guest lecturers from the industry address the students each week.
For further information:

SOUND TRAINING CENTRE
Now here s a date for your immediate diary Saturday 9th September. That s when the long-established and highly-renowned Sound Training Centre, in Dublin s Temple Bar, has organised their Open Day. It runs from 11 am until 4 pm and all are welcome.
The open day is an opportunity not be missed if you re in any way interested in a career in the sound industry, offering as it does a unique glimpse behind the scenes at one of Dublin s busiest music centres.
The Sound Training Centre is part of the Temple Bar Music Centre group, so you can pop in and see what a 48-track fully automated recording studio is like. While there you can also visit the STC s impressive programming suite, the music technology lab, the training studios, the 600-capacity venue and the rehearsal studios.
The next step is to enrol in one of their courses, of which there are many including Sound Engineering and Music Technology, Live Sound, Backline and Stage Production, Music Technology and Recording Techniques, MIDI-Sampling, Sequencing and Synthesis. Needless to say, the Sound Training Centre has a host of success stories to point to among its graduates too many to even attempt to list them!
The STC is accredited by London City and Guilds.
For further information, contact: The Sound Training Centre, TRMC, Curved St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2; telephone 01-6709033 or check out their web-site www.soundtraining.com

Jackie Hayden is the author of The Need To Know Guide To The Record Industry and co-author of The Need To Know Guide To Careers In Music, both available from Foxrock Music Productions at #9.99.