MusM Composition (Electroacoustic Music and Interactive Media) / Course details

Our MusM Composition (Electroacoustic Music and Interactive Media) master's course provides an in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge compositional techniques, methodologies and associated aesthetics in creative work that intersects with technology and other artistic or scientific forms.

It serves as excellent preparation for a career as a composer working with technology and audio-media, and provides all the training necessary for embarking on and envisioning novel strands for a PhD in electroacoustic composition, including those informed by other scientific and arts form.

All teaching, research and compositional work is carried out in the NOVARS Research Centre for Electroacoustic Composition, Performance and Sound Art, with its state-of-the-art electroacoustic studios.

Opportunities for the performance of new works are offered using the 55-loudspeaker sound diffusion system of MANTIS (Manchester Theatre in Sound) and through events such as the Locativeaudio Festival and Sines and Squares Festival for Analogue Electronics and Modular Synthesis.

Acousmatic, mixed, live electronic and multimedia works are all possible, with composers able to incorporate the spatialisation of sound and interactive new game-audio media into the presentation of their work.

We aim to:

• build on undergraduate studies, developing skills in electroacoustic composition to master's level;
• increase knowledge and a systematic understanding of electroacoustic music;
• foster the particular creative talents of each individual student;
• provide all the training necessary for embarking on a PhD in electroacoustic composition;
• prepare you for a career as a composer and in the wider music industry where critical judgement and developed powers of communication are needed.

Events management

Postgraduate students at the NOVARS Research Centre play an active role in the planning, organisation and execution of performance events such as the Sines & Squares Festival and MANTIS Festival, and other projects such as LocativeAudio.

Relevant training, including rigging and de-rigging the MANTIS system, health and safety, sound diffusion workshops, and organisation of Calls for Works when needed, is an important part of the course.

Composition opportunities

There are a number of internal composition opportunities offered to MusM students, allowing you to compose for our world-leading ensembles in residence and association.

Performance 

Staging over one hundred live music events each year, the Music department is unique in its combination of academic excellence and conservatoire levels of performance. Watch examples of our previous performances by visiting the Music department YouTube channel.

Most course units are delivered via regular seminars and/or tutorials, supported where appropriate by practical workshops.

The portfolio is supported by one-to-one supervision and is submitted at the beginning of September. Part-time students may submit in either September or December following their second year of study.

Members of the academic staff are also available for individual consultation during designated office hours.

Alongside your taught units, you will have access to a range of non-assessed seminars, workshops and training sessions offered by the Graduate School.

All postgraduate students are expected to undertake their own programme of self-directed learning and skills acquisition. This may also involve wider reading, language work, computer training and attendance at research seminars in other parts of the University.

There are no formal examinations. Taught course units - all of which must be satisfactorily completed - are assessed by compositions or other coursework tasks, normally submitted at the end of each semester (January and May).

Assessments may involve the premiere of new compositions, oral presentations of repertoire, musical analysis or essay topics in the field.

The portfolio is created over the entire duration of study and is submitted at the end of the academic year (after the summer vacation).

Topics and focus are to be discussed with project supervisors and can include compositions involving fixed or interactive media, locative and game-audio technologies.

All work is double-marked internally and moderated by the External Examiner.

You will have access to a wide range of study facilities and cultural assets at Manchester.

The NOVARS studio complex supports a broad range of activities in the fields of electroacoustic composition and new media.

The studios incorporate the newest generation of Apple computers, Genelec, PMC and ATC monitoring (up to 37-channel studios) and state-of-the art licensed software (including Pro Tools HD, Max MSP, GRM Tools, Waves, Ircam's Audiosculpt and Reaper and, for Interactive Media work, Oculus Rift, Unreal Engine 4, Unity Pro and open-source Blender3D).

Location and performance work is also supported by a new 64-channel diffusion system.

The Martin Harris Centre offers students an exceptional home equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Alongside teaching rooms and practice rooms, the building houses the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall (capacity 350, with a stage large enough to accommodate a full symphony orchestra), the John Thaw Studio Theatre, the Lenagan Library and a postgraduate suite consisting of a common room and computer room.

The Lenagan Library is a small reference library housed in the Martin Harris Centre that includes major scores, reference tools and a large collection of recordings, together with listening rooms and a spacious work area.

The Henry Watson Library is located in Manchester's Central Library and is renowned for its Handel and Vivaldi manuscripts, and the library of the nearby Royal Northern College of Music.

Find out more about our facilities .