Music and Music Technology

Overview

• The study of Music Technology and Digital Arts within their historical, social, aesthetic and technical contexts
• The opportunity to work in different studio environments and to gain experience in composition, recording and production, programming and performance in a multi-speaker projection system
• Study as a Single Honours or combined with Music or any other subject within the Dual Honours programme
• Staff expertise in contemporary music, sonic arts, composition, music technology, audio-visual art, music programming, a range of 20th-century music and their precursors, and in cultural studies

Music Technology is situated in the early 19th-century Clockhouse in a scenic part of the campus. Its facilities include eight designated studios, lecture and seminar rooms, purpose-built practice rooms and a multi-speaker system for audio-visual concerts and events.

Music Technology at Keele aims to provide musical and technical training, and to encourage critical thinking. There are opportunities in the final year for specialisation in composition, recording and production, sound design, audio-visual work and programming. Music Technology has a programme of visiting speakers and performers, and there are opportunities for participation in workshops and concerts. There is a strong performing tradition at Keele. Students can join a number of performing groups, including the Keele Philharmonic Orchestra, Keele Concert Band, Keele Big Band, Chapel Singers, Keele Bach Choir and Keele Recorder Ensemble.

• Music Technology received very good results in the latest NSS with overall student satisfaction of 4.4, which is significantly higher than the sector wide of 3.9 points.
• In the most recent research assessment exercise, Music and Music Technology at Keele were the highest rated research group in the entire University.
• Three staff members have been awarded a prestigious Arts and Humanities research Council Fellowships in 2010-2011.

Full details of the current modules and activities are available from the Music Technology Undergraduate Administrator (contact details at end of this section).

Scholarships

The following scholarships are open to competition:

• Two Chapel Music scholarships: one for a choir conductor and one for an organist
• Montford scholarship, for an instrumentalist or vocalist
• Orchestral Leader scholarship, offered by the Keele Philharmonic Society
• Audely and District Male Voice Choir scholarship, for first and second year singers (male or female)
• Clough Hall Technology School instrumental tuition fellowships

Further details can be obtained from the Music Technology Undergraduate Administrator.

Course Content

First year
You will take core modules in Analog and Digital Audio, Sonic Arts Repertoire, 20th-century Musics and Active Listening that aim to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You can also choose electives from Music Technology to reflect your particular interests: sound recording, composition, performance, the study of film music. You can also get credits for participating in the orchestra, choir and concert band.

Examples of electives*
Composing with Sound
Sound Recording
Surround Sound
Audio Electronics
Digital Video
Music on Stage and Screen
Introduction to Composition
Reading Film
Popular Music
Introduction to Music Theory
Instrumental Lessons

Second year
In addition to core modules in Audio-Visual Composition, Record Production in Theory and Practice, Digital Audio, Creative Sound Design, and Meaning in Sonic Arts you can select pathways in Performance and Composition.

Examples of electives*
Audio-Visual Composition
Interactive Realtime Composition
Lyrics and the Popular Song
Contemporary Orchestration
Indian Music

Third Year
At Level 3 all students take an independent double-weighted project focusing on creative work in digital arts, software design or composition. You can select from a wide range of Music Technology modules including:
Digital Arts Creative Portfolio 1
Digital Arts Creative Portfolio 2
Computer-aided Composition MAX-MSP
Colloquia in Electronic Music
Music Programming Project
Dissertation
Composition

Your choice of electives also includes Dissertation, Performance and Composition. This degree opens up new combinations, allowing you to focus in areas such as performance and creative work.

Course Content: Dual Honours

First Year
During the first year, you will take specialist studies in the history and aesthetics of various forms of sonic arts and practical and theoretical modules in analogue and digital audio.

Examples of electives*
Composing with Sound
Sound Recording
Surround Sound
Audio Electronics
Digital Video
Music on Stage and Screen
Introduction to Composition
Reading Film
Popular Music
Introductions to Music Theory
Instrumental Lessons

Second Year
In addition to core modules in the aesthetics and theory of digital art, the second year consists of modules on advanced techniques in computer music and sound design (e.g. sound synthesis, granular techniques, sound transformations), as well as multimedia work, particularly in the audio-visual domain.

Examples of electives*
Creative Sound Design
Audio-Visual Composition
Interactive Realtime Composition
Audio-Visual Composition
Record production in Theory and Practice
Lyrics and the popular Song

Third Year 
You will have a number of options to suit your interests and strengths, which range from original creative work, such as composition, recording and production, sound design and audio-visual work, to software instrument design and computer programming for musical applications. You can also take a module consisting of a series of seminars for discussion of general issues relating to music technology (e.g. commercial success of particular genres, socio-political issues, gender, technology and creativity, etc.).

Examples of electives* (Single or Dual Honours)
Music Programming 
Colloquia in Electroacoustic Music
Computer-aided composition in MAX/MSP
Digital Arts Creative Portfolio 1
Digital Arts Creative Portfolio 2
Research in Music Psychology

* Please note that modules may vary from year to year.

Study Abroad

All music students have the opportunity of spending a semester in their second year at one of our partner universities in North America, South Africa or Australia.

Codes and Combinations

Students are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) (BA Hons) if their two Principal courses are in humanities and/or social science subjects.

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours Course can be combined with:

Single Honours and Foundation courses available:

Teaching and Assessment

Most of the learning activity is carried out by means of practical creative work in the Music Technology studios. Teaching is mainly by seminars, workshops, tutorials, and a comprehensive array of web-based learning resources, and video learning material. For details of the eight studios and relevant equipment see the Music/Music Technology website.

Teaching of studio techniques in the first year is organised in modular studio tasks to accommodate both learners with little previous experience and more advanced users.

Most modules are assessed by creative practical projects in the studios. Some modules are assessed by performance or essay.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

Our Music Technology graduates are equipped to pursue careers involving technical work, such as broadcasting, recording, production, sound design, soundtrack creation (e.g. film) and software design, as well as original audio and audiovisual composition or studio work. In addition, they acquire the necessary skills for work as freelance sound designers for applications such as games and video.

Music Technology destinations for graduates who completed their undergraduate course in 2011:

Of those who responded:

Want to work in?

Many students are excited by careers that utilise the academic knowledge and skills developed on their degree:

• Sound Technician
• Radio Broadcast Assistant

What else?

For those who do not wish to pursue a career directly related to their degree, here are some career ideas to open up options:

• Broadcast Engineer
• Runner Broadcast/Film/TV
• Theatre Stage Manager
• Radio Producer
• TV Floor Manager
• Multimedia Specialist

Careers information

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

UK/EU Admissions
Tel: 01782 734005
Email: admissions.ukeu@keele.ac.uk

International Admissions
Tel: +44(0) 1782 733274
Email: international@keele.ac.uk

Course Information
Tel: 01782 733295
Email: a.b.truman@keele.ac.uk