Renowned Newpark Jazz Degree Programmes Move to Dublin City University
The full-time degree programmes of the renowned Newpark Music Centre, Ireland’s primary centre for jazz and jazz-related music education, are moving to Dublin City University in 2017 and will be consolidated into a new DCU BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance.
Founded in 1979, Newpark has a long history of producing some of Ireland's finest jazz musicians. The move to DCU is big news for IMC given the connections that we have had with Newpark since the Jazz degree was established 10 years ago. Director of Jazz, Ronan Guilfoyle was one of IMC's founding members in 1991 and has continued to be heavily involed with IMC over the years due to the position that he holds on IMC's board of directors. Many of the musicians that IMC work with on a regular basis have gone throught the hallowed halls of Newpark including our very own director Kenneth Killeen.
Director of Jazz, Ronan Guilfoyle recently commented,
"Newpark has an extraordinary history, managing to create viable and valuable full time courses from the humblest of circumstances, and when the programmes move it will be the end of an era. But being in DCU will also provide so many opportunities and access to great facilities. I really do believe that this development will be a landmark in the growth of jazz and music education in Ireland."
The new degree programme will be available to students for September 2017 entry. A key feature of the degree is its links with, and the facility for students to transfer into, the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston – one of the most prestigious music schools in the world in the field of contemporary music. It is expected that this degree will be of great interest to both domestic and international students.
Application to the programme will be through the CAO, with auditions held in March and April 2017. Irish students, and all EU students, will be entitled to free fees, paying only the annual registration charge (student contribution).
This new degree will be taught on DCU's Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses and, with its focus on performance, will complement the existing DCU music offerings, which currently include the Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours) and the Bachelor of Religious Education and Music. Course modules will include Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Aural Training, Ensemble Performance, Composition and Arranging, Jazz History, and Music Business.
Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, commented;
“We are delighted with this new development that will enrich the university in many significant ways. With our new Institute of Education and our expanded Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, music now forms an integral part of DCU’s cultural fabric. This latest offering in the jazz and contemporary music genre, with its exclusive focus on performance, is a very welcome addition. We are very grateful to Newpark Music Centre for the constructive negotiations that led to this important development.”
Matthew Nicholl, Associate Vice President of Global Initiatives at Berklee College of Music in Boston, said;
"Berklee and Newpark have had a strong partnership over the past 15 years. The move of Newpark's full time offering to DCU offers an exciting opportunity to grow and develop relationships that will benefit both institutions, bringing new educational opportunities for music students and to the larger musical community in both Ireland and the world."
A great development for the Irish Jazz community. For further information on how to apply Click Here.