Performance Sound

BA (Hons) Performance Sound

Mode: full-time

This unique programme reflects the growing importance of sound design and operation in every field of performance – from theatre to music concerts, from sports events to dance, and from site-specific installation to radio drama. Rapidly evolving technologies and changing audience expectations have greatly expanded the role of sound in performance, resulting in a growing demand for skilled and imaginative audio specialists. We will equip you with the creative, technical and organisational skills to be competitive in this exciting area of the creative industries.

You will be immersed in a highly creative working environment, taking on a number of roles related to your subject and exploring them in the context of a production team. Whether as a sound designer, live mixing engineer, studio manager, sound editor or sound operator, you will learn how to produce work to the highest standards under the guidance and supervision of a team of qualified and dedicated tutors. This invaluable experience will equip you with a firm grasp of professional ethics and an impressive knowledge base, preparing you for the world of employment.

The programme aims to:

• Respond to the rapidly changing live performance industry by delivering discipline specialists with a comprehensive grounding in performance as a creative, aesthetic and communicative process
• Give graduates a working understanding of live performance in its business, cultural, social, ethical, political, historical and theoretical contexts
• Enable graduates to make an effective, responsive and innovative contribution to the live performance industries
• Give graduates the artistic, technical and organisational skills to enable them to create, operate and perform using a range of audio and related technologies in a variety of different performance contexts

BA (Hons) Performance Sound previously ran as BA (Hons) Digital Live Arts (Performance Sound).

The Programme at a glance
Over three years, you will:

• Be introduced to a variety of performances in several contexts
• Create soundscapes and sound installations for theatre and site-specific performance
• Learn to mix, record and edit live performance audio
• Meet leading industry experts in equipment design, sound design and operation
• Develop practical skills and theories related to audio technology in performance
• Study show-control systems
• Explore and question a range of theories and practices relating to sound design
• Carry out research from field trips
• Develop academic and presentation skills
• Take responsibility for a series of practical briefs designed to develop and cement your professional ability as sound designer and operator
• Undertake a substantial research project into an audio subject of your choice
• Have the opportunity for a work placement in the industry or a period of study abroad
• Prepare for entry into your chosen profession.

Career Progression

We expect graduates from this new programme to go on to work in a wide range of roles and sectors of the industry, including as sound designer, operator or technician for theatre, concert, corporate events, television, film, and radio.