Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

• 2. Summer 2025 RIAM BMus 4 Capstone Projects & MMus 2 Research Projects, Summer 2025
• 1. Summer 2024 RIAM BMus Year 4 Capstone Projects, Summer 2024

• A Day in My Life as a Music Performance Student: How can a musician protect themselves from self-sabotage in preparation for their professional career ? (2025) author(s): Jack O'Reilly Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  Musicians spend a lot of time practising to create and repeat the best version of their repertoire. The skill of being self-critical has its benefits in this scenario, however it can have a negative effect on performer's well-being which can lead to self-sabotage. This project explores the importance of understanding "self-sabotage" and what musicians can do to prevent and possibly help these symptoms. The methodology included studying reflective journal entries to identify personal areas to improve, as informed by the use of Seligman's PERMA-H model. This was used to create a well-being toolkit, creating an example of how musicians can increase awareness of their mental health and what measures can be put in place to help cope with feelings of self-sabotage. The deliverable of this research is an audio documentary that showcases a typical day of music performance student at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) that outlines how this musician employs elements of their well-being toolkit to protect themselves from self-sabotage.
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  The Nature of Sound: Using Storytelling, Music and Field Recording to Inspire Children to Engage with the Natural World (2024) author(s): Megan Churcher Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  The focus of this project was to develop a listening experience that would inspire young children to connect with nature and promote their engagement with the natural world. Children today are spending significantly less time outdoors than previous generations. The consequences of a generation disconnected from the natural world are yet to be determined, but research has already proven the benefits of time spent in nature. This project explores the importance of having positive experiences in nature and aims to foster a love of the outdoors in young children, through exploring the sonic environments of accessible local areas. At the core of the project is field recording, storytelling and music. The project is a prototype for a longer running series of immersive sonic explorations of Irish environments, suitable for radio or podcasts aimed at a young audience.
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  Re-contextualising Mozart's Clarinet Concerto using Sampling and Modern Audio Production Techniques (2024) author(s): Margot Maurel Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  This project explores the re-contextualization of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto through the utilization of sampling and modern audio production techniques. An introduction to the notion of 'contemporary music' and 'sampling' will be firstly presented. Following will be an explanation of my music technology project. Divided into three movements, the composition highlights how a piece from a classical period can be reimagined and listened from a different perspective. In this piece, many Samplers have been used to explore different aspects of the clarinet's sound.
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• Imagining the Orchestra: Piano Reductions as a Learning Resource for Tubists (2024) author(s): Adam Buttimer Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  In my Capstone Project I endeavor to bridge a significant resource gap for tuba players by developing piano reductions of orchestral works, tailored to accompany tuba excerpts. Motivated by the supportive infrastructure provided to singers by repetiteurs in operatic contexts, I aim to extend a similar aid to orchestral instrumentalists, particularly tuba players who often face scarcity in such resources. Once I began my research into the project, I found publications that are tried and tested by flautists and oboists, for instance “Orchestral Excerpts for Flute” by Jeanne Baxstresser and ”Orchestral excerpts for Oboe with Piano Accompaniment” by John Ferrillo. My Capstone Project will curate six of the most commonly requested tuba excerpts by composers such as Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Gustav Mahler and Ottorino Respighi, and craft piano accompaniments that offer concise yet comprehensive contextualization beyond the mere notes of the tuba parts. This process will entail careful attention to harmonic progressions, inter-voice dialogues, and stylistic nuances, thereby nurturing player development through an enriched learning environment. Through this undertaking, I not only seek to address an immediate need within the tuba community but also contribute to the broader discourse on instrumental pedagogy and performance support mechanisms. By combining research with practical application, my project aims to empower tuba players and potentially inspire similar invitations for other orchestral instruments encountering similar challenges, thereby enriching the musical landscape.
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  "I am free to be myself"- An Audio-visual Multimedia Exploration of Irish Art Song (2024) author(s): David Kennedy Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  This exposition uses audio-visual multimedia to revive interest in Irish art song, focusing on Joan Trimble's ‘Green Rain’. This exposition explores the practical project that was undertaken and discusses the process involved in recording, filming and producing ‘Green Rain’. This project traces the history of Irish art song and highlights the potential of multimedia to reinvigorate classical music appreciation using discussions and examples of audiovisual media in the field of classical music today.
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• Crafting Careers: Exploring the Impact of Personal Branding and Social Media Strategy on the Professional Development of Performing Arts Students (2024) author(s): Shauna-Claire O'Callaghan Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : Royal Irish Academy of Music
  In the contemporary art world, the need for artists to develop effective personal branding strategies has become increasingly paramount. However, traditional art education often neglects the importance of marketing and communication theories, leaving emerging artists ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of self-promotion and audience engagement. This dissertation addresses this gap by proposing a theoretical approach to artist personal branding. Drawing upon insights from marketing, communication, and art theory, the study explores the role of personal branding in empowering artists to cultivate their audience and reputation independently of traditional gatekeepers such as curators and art critics. By examining existing literature and presenting three distinct frameworks for artist personal branding, this research aims to provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for artists seeking to establish and manage their personal brands effectively. Through an analysis of the challenges facing artists in the current art market landscape and the potential benefits of adopting personal branding strategies, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between art and marketing theory. Ultimately, the study seeks to empower artists to navigate the evolving art industry landscape and succeed in building sustainable careers through strategic personal branding.
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