History
The Music School first opened its doors to the musicians and performers of the South East region in 1980. Initially based on the Cork Road Campus, in 1994 the Music Department moved to the Good Shepherd Convent on College Street. This move allowed the Music School to develop its scope and activities with more space and facilities being available. Over the 1990s and 2000s, the Music School grew from strength to strength offering a wide range of pathways to musical success.
Events that have been pioneered by Music staff at SETU include the premiere of the children’s opera ‘Lily’s Labyrinth’ and the development of Waterford New Music Week. In recent years, with the expansion of music programmes such as Music Generation and others for school aged children, the role of the Music School is evolving. SETU Music School aims to lead performance-based music education in the South East by the provision of quality tuition and by working with organisations for the advancement of artistic excellence, continuing the legacy of the Music Workshops for a new generation of musicians.
What We Do
SETU Music School is an integral part of South East Technological University and is one of only a handful of music schools linked with third-level institutions in Ireland. This link ensures that our students learn with highly qualified and motivated staff, many of which have progressed through the former Institute of Technology themselves to become accomplished performers, conductors and teachers recognised across Ireland and beyond.
Our successes and commitment to music making means we occupy a central space within the wider cultural and artist landscape in the South East. We continue to realise our aspiration to be a leading centre of music education in Ireland. Whether it’s our five-year-olds in Kids Club or our alumni of performers, teachers, and composers; a student’s first note played in their lesson or the final minute of their Diploma programme; every member of SETU Music School is supported to realise their potential and progress musically, professionally and personally.
Why study at SETU Music School?
SETU Music School shares its facilities with third-level students in the School of Humanities programmes at SETU, particularly those enrolled on the BA (Hons) in Music course. This allows us to collaborate and share teaching facilities, practice rooms, performing spaces and more. Our students can prepare for a variety of recognised music examinations as well as competing in local, national and international competitions, with many students achieving impressive results. Our alumni have successfully undertaken studies in music across a range of third-level colleges in Ireland and Europe, including the BA (Hons) in Music at SETU. Many are now successfully working in roles within music, such as professional music performers, teachers, composers.
Term 1: 4th September 2023 – 26th January 2024
Term | Date |
Instrumental Tuition Begins Term 1 | 1st September 2025 |
Choirs/Ensembles/Musicianship Classes Start | 8th September 2025 |
October Reading Week – No Classes | 27th October – 2nd November 2025 |
Christmas Break – No Classes | 15th December 2025 – 5th January 2025 |
Classes Resume | 5th January 2025 |
Term 2: 29nd January 2024 – 7th June 2024
Term | Date |
Instrumental Tuition Begins Term 1 | 26th January 2026 |
February Reading Week – No Classes | 16th – 20th February 2026 |
Easter Break – No Classes | 30th March – 12th April 2026 |
Choirs/Ensembles/Kids Club Finish | 22nd May 2026 |
End of Stage/Musicianship Exams | 8th June – 12th June 2026 |
Summer Break – No Classes | 19th June – 1st September 2026 |