THE SCHOOL OF SOUND is a space to learn about the creative use of sound in the arts and media. Through online events, short courses, research, reflection and our collection of writings, interviews and recorded talks, we offer you the opportunity to re-think how sound operates in the arts and media.
Sound design, human sound perception, non-naturalistic sound, sound as metaphor – the topics range from the practical to the aesthetic to the metaphysical, creating a new awareness of sound for all those working in screen, gallery and audio production.
The School of Sound began in 1998 as a four-day event aimed at exploring the creative use of sound in the arts and media, with a special emphasis on film and screen productions. Since then, the School of Sound has expanded to include weekend seminars, intensive practical workshops,'listening' events, consultancies for professional practitioners and the international 4-day symposium held every two years.
Now we have moved our programme online to allow a wider, more diverse audience of all ages and experience to join our events. And we can benefit from our extensive network of practitioners, artists and academics to present talks throughout the year. Our purpose is to explore sound from all points of view, integrating theory and practice, the arts and creative industries, and experimental and traditional perspectives.
Upcoming Events
Our autumn programme explores the use of sound in theatre, fiction film, documentary, animation, games, radio and gallery art. For full details, go to schoolofsound.co.uk/events.
Currently scheduled:
Sinéad Rushe:
Polyphonic Characterisation - Composing Iago in Shakespeare's Othello
Theatre director Sinéad Rushe discusses the rehearsal process for her forthcoming production of Othello. With sound designer Ali Taie she explains how she integrates the concept of polyphony and live vocal manipulation.
19 September
Stephen Deutsch:
How (Not) To Become a Film Composer
The growing popularity of film music has intensified the desire of many composers to enter the world of film, TV and games music. But how does a sound person take the first steps to enter the profession? What skills do they need, what training should they seek, what attitudes should they develop to help them achieve this goal?
21 September
James Hannigan:
On being a screen composer for games, television and audio drama
With a worldwide reputation for his work in games music (RuneScape, Steelrising, Discworld, and Red Alert), James moved into television series and audio drama. He discusses his work in these diverse media that have widely different narrative demands, production methods and audience responses.
4 October
Martine Huvenne: Embodiment in Sound
With Elias Grootaers, Nathalie Teirlinck and Larry Sider
Four talks in which Huvenne and guests propose an approach to filmmaking as a composition of sound, music, speech and images – an audiovisual chord Looking at fiction filmmaking, documentary and animation, they explore how the first-person perspectives of both the listener/spectator and the creator play a crucial role.
5 & 12 October, 23 & 30 November
Rana Eid: Mute/Unmute
Following Juliette Vocler's statement - 'We have barely started to Listen.' - Beirut sound designer Rana Eid asks ‘What is the act of listening - and why do we, as practitioners, have to ask ourselves this question almost every day?’
27 October
Amie Siegel
Siegel works across film, photography, performance, and sculpture, exposing and connecting multiple strata of meaning. The artist will discuss her unique approach to sound, music, and the plasticity of the film medium, including recent works The Silence (2022), Asterisms (2021) and Winter (2013)
28 November
© Amie Siegel. Courtesy Thomas Dane Gallery.
In early 2024
Rob Bridgett , acclaimed game sound designer and author of Working with Sound: The Future of Audio Work in Interactive Entertainment, will deliver 3 talks on creating for sound for interactive entertainment.
And, following his spring series Sound Design and Audiovision, Gustavo Costantini continues with a close analysis of how music operates within a soundtrack.
All talks are designed for practitioners and academics, students and professionals. In our website, visit READ, LOOK, LISTEN for access to articles, recordings and video interviews. In TEACHING you can read, and contribute to, a blog about how to teach sound design. The SHOP offers recordings for streaming of past events. And in ONLINE EVENTS you can see details and buy tickets for all the upcoming online talks.
The School of Sound
schoolofsound.co.uk
