Article

Interdisciplinarity in Irish Music Pedagogy

Sean Williams

Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 3 (2015)

Pages: 110-127 | Published Online: 2015

https://doi.org/10.64208/GMAZ8728

Abstract

This article examines one aspect of pedagogy–interdisciplinarity–in connection with learning Irish tunes and songs at the university level. This approach is not categorically superior to any other method, but it may well be worth trying in some form, particularly for those who live and teach outside of Ireland. It includes descriptions of situating musical material in the context of sections on Irish history, politics, literature, and other fields. While few courses in Irish music include the type of full-time work that this programme requires, I include case studies, suggestions on (and examples of) assignments, and tips on how to incorporate interdisciplinary work in performance classes. Finally, I argue that interdisciplinarity has its benefits for those who teach Irish music in Ireland, particularly as Irish student lives become increasingly cosmopolitan and saturated in international media.

Keywords: Pedagogy, interdisciplinarity, Irish language, songs, tunes

Author: Sean Williams