StageWise - Smart Performance Coaching for Instrumentalists
Performance class, with expert guidance and advice to improve and perfect essential presentation skills. (Promotional Discount available - see below)
Description
StageWise - Smart Performance Coaching for Instrumentalists (with Brendan Breslin, Head of Junior RIAM, RIAM Adult Division and Lifelong learning)
This new platform for adult learners welcomes instrumentalists from all genres, including Classical, Jazz, Folk and Trad) to work on your own chosen repertoire, supported by live piano accompaniment* (where required) in a safe peer-environment.
In this 8-week performance coaching course, Brendan Breslin (Head of Junior RIAM, Adult Division and Lifelong Learning) will provide expert guidance and advice to performers to improve and perfect essential skills, such as:
Technical Proficiency:
- Aural Awareness: Developing a stronger sense of performance musicianship
- Memorization: Being able to recall music accurately, especially when performing without scores.
- Note: (This course doesn't cover technical instrument skills!!!)
Musical Interpretation:
- Dynamics: Controlling the loudness and softness of the music.
- Tempo: Adjusting the speed of the music to convey emotion and meaning.
- Articulation: Controlling how notes are played (e.g., staccato, legato) to create specific musical effects.
- Phrasing: Shaping musical phrases to create a natural flow and express musical ideas.
Expressiveness:
- Body Language: Using gestures and movements to enhance the performance.
- Musical Communication: Connecting with the audience through the music.
Performance Style:
- Stage Presence: Creating a compelling presence on stage and connecting with the audience.
- Confidence: Projecting a sense of self-assurance and comfort on stage.
- Resilience: Being able to handle challenges and criticism with grace.
Ensemble Skills (for group performances):
- Coordination: Working together seamlessly with other musicians.
- Leadership: Guiding the ensemble through tempo and dynamic changes.
Other Important Skills:
- Communication: Clearly communicating with the audience.
- Stamina: Being able to endure the physical demands of performing.
- Mental Focus: Maintaining concentration under pressure.
For small Ensembles (Duo/Trio):
Where the focus is on solo performance, this course will also welcome musicians to participate as a duo or trio.
(Here, individual participant registration for each of the ensemble members will be required.)
Course Schedule:
Wednesday 1st of October 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8th of October 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 15th of October 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 22nd of October 3:00 – 5:00 PM
No Session on Wednesday 29th of October (mid-term break)
Wednesday 5th of November 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 12th of November 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 19th of November 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 26th of November 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Course Venue: Lecture Theatre (Room G023)
Promotional Discount for RIAM Adult Division Students
This course will be available at a 10% discounted rate, exclusively for adult learners participating in AD-Group classes and/or AD-Orchestra during the same or previous term. To avail of the discount, please email adultdivision@riam.ie to receive a "Promotional Code" for a reduced booking fee. (Discounts have to be applied during registration and cannot be granted retrospectively).
Prerequisites
- Participants should be min. 18 years of age
- Participants should be of an Intermediate level or comparable standard (Grade V) before signing up for StageWise, as a certain level of performance experience is going to be expected.
- *Participants who would like to avail of accompaniment from a RIAM-supplied pianist are being asked to submit a copy (.pdf or .docx) of their chosen repertoire to adultdivision@riam.ie no later than two weeks before the start of the course, to allow the accompanist to familiarise him/herself with the pieces.
Tutors
Brendan Breslin
Head of Junior, Adult, & Lifelong Learning
BMus, MMusPerf, DipMgmt
Brendan Breslin was appointed the Head of Connect for the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2018, senior manager with responsibility over RIAM Exams, Publications, Outreach, and Teaching & Learning.
Previous to joining RIAM he worked for 14 years with the Band of An Garda Síochána (Irish Police Band), having joined in 2004, as bands person on tuba and percussion. As a conductor, Brendan has previously had the role of Musical Director with Arklow Silver Band, the Dublin Symphony Orchestra and the Lucan Concert Band. He has enjoyed a successful tenure as the Musical Director of Ardee Concert Band, most notably resulting in two Platinum Award performances in the NCBF Competitions in the UK. Brendan is the current Musical Director of the Dublin Concert Band, Irish Film and Pops Orchestra, and Artistic Director of the Irish Youth Brass Ensemble.
In June 2016 Brendan won the National Association of Brass Band Conductors competition in the UK, which has afforded him the opportunity of working with some of the main Championship brass bands in the UK, including the Fodens Band, Whitburn Brass Band, the Reg Vardy Brass Band and Carlton Main Frickley Brass Band.
As a composer and arranger, Brendan’s music has featured with orchestras, brass and concert bands such as the RTÉConcert Orchestra, the Cory Brass Band, the Roberts Bakery Band, the Irish Defence Forces Bands, the Band of An Garda Síochána, as well as noted artists such as Cara O’Sullivan, Brian Kennedy and Peter Corry. His scores have featured in musical programming for RTÉ radio and television, as well as the Dublin Fringe Festival.
In February 2017 Brendan was a prize winner in the Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan Composition Contest for his original work ‘Cruise Control’, as well as the audience award from the premiere performance of the three winning entries.