Sound Arts: Experimental Music

UCAS code: W381

Here's what University of the Arts London says about its Sound Arts: Experimental Music course.

BA (Hons) Sound Arts: Experimental Music will develop your passion for sonic experimentation as you explore methods and techniques in composition, performance, improvisation and installation. You’ll immerse yourself in contemporary music-making technologies, learn about experimental music scenes and practices, and work collaboratively across a diverse range of media and contexts.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication • Expertise: operating within London’s sound arts and experimental music scenes, internationally-renowned tutors will guide you to develop a unique portfolio of sound and music within a critical framework at the University ranked 2nd in the world for Art and Design in the QS University World Rankings by Subject 2024 • Facilities: Industry-standard facilities include a high-spec Mac Lab, instruments, extensive audio hardware, recording devices, and analogue/digital synth studios, a multi-channel Sound Laboratory, Dolby Atmos Composition Studio and 5.1/Stereo Postproduction Studio – all supported by a dedicated technical team. You’ll also utilise shared College facilities such as the 3D Workshop and Creative Technology Lab to design physical instruments or devices • Research: The course is closely linked to MA Sound Arts and the Creative Research in Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP) centre, whose doctoral students and research staff contribute to course tuition, highlighting the possibilities for academic progression beyond undergraduate study • Collaboration: The course emphasises the importance of collaboration and the global, interdisciplinary nature of sound art and experimental music. As well as working closely with your classmates, you'll also have opportunities to collaborate with students studying other Screen School subjects, including animation, music production, games design, and film. You'll also be encouraged to collaborate with relevant musicians, as well as partner organisations like IKLECTIK, Corsica Studios and Resonance FM • Career support: Learning how to support yourself as a musical artist is integral to the course. There are opportunities to exhibit in galleries and live performance spaces, and participate in events involving the creative experimental music community to help your artistic development and networking • International exchanges: You’ll also have opportunities to engage in international exchanges with institutions such as RMIT in Melbourne and UTS in Sydney • Graduate success: Our graduates have gone on to work with leading organisations such as Tate Britain, Warp Records, Venice Biennale, Channel 5, BBC and Red Bull Music Academy • Professional accreditation: Study on a course accredited by, and delivered with support from, the music industry professional body Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) - a?recognised Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) for higher education courses

What to expect Skills and Knowledge that you will develop include creative ideation, composition, performance, improvisation, technical expertise, workflow, production techniques, and more. Art is at the heart of this course; your own creative practice is at the centre. You'll gain a firm grounding in established and emerging fine art approaches to sound, including sound installations, environments, and sculpture.

Creative development is genre-agnostic, focusing on your individual sonic practices, with opportunities for collaboration, including those times when, as well as specific pathway teaching, you’ll come together as a larger group. Technologies for the control and manipulation of sound and music are central, including analogue and digital, hardware and software, conventional instruments and electronics, to support composition, improvisation, and sonic experimentation.

Contexts in which your sonic and musical art may be heard include: galleries, mixed-media events, installations, independent or self-released recordings, venues for improvised music, clubs.