Training

We encourage church musicians to seize every opportunity for in-service training. Continuous professional development has become extremely important in an era when there is such a wide range of music, from many cultures, available to support worship.

Also, musicians need to be aware of and understand - probably more than ever in the past - the ideas and principles that underpin the liturgical change and development that is taking place in our Churches.

Archbishop of Dublin's Certificate in Church Music

The Committee offers a three-year church music training course leading to the Archbishop of Dublin's Certificate in Church Music.

The purpose of the course is to ensure a continuing supply of trained musicians able to provide music regularly or occasionally for church services.

The course aims to provide the range of skills and knowledge required by musicians working in local churches: (i) organ playing, including service accompaniment; (ii) choir training and rehearsal techniques; (iii) the structure of the Church's liturgy and the role of music in it.

The course is modular and students commit for one year at a time.  Each student is assigned to an organ tutor who gives twenty-eight lessons during the academic year, October to May. Other training takes place in group sessions. Occasionally, students join courses run by other organisations. There is an organ exam in May.

The course is open to members of the Church of Ireland and, subject to the availability of places, to those from other traditions.

To enter year 1, students need to have reached at least Grade 4 or equivalent in piano and be sponsored by a Church of Ireland parish. Acceptance on the course is by written application and interview.

The sponsoring parish is expected to keep in touch with the student and to provide opportunities where appropriate for involvement in the music at services.

The cost is shared by the diocese, the parish and by each student. Different arrangements re fees, etc., apply to students who are not members of the Church of Ireland.

Click here: to view the organ playing syllabus.

The course has been in place since 1991. To date, 54 students have completed at least one year of the course; 34 students have successfully completed the full three years.

For 2007-08, four students enrolled in Year 1. There are currently eleven students over the three year course.

Fees: For 2008-09 the student pays €350 and the parish pays €750. The rest of the cost is met by the diocese through the Church Music Committee.  Students also pay for the cost of music and books and for travel if training takes place away from Dublin.

Application forms are available online.

For further information, send an email to the Secretary, Mrs. Jacqueline Mullen, jacqlmullen@eircom.net

Applications for the 2008-09 academic year will be accepted up to 31 May 2008.