Unit for Sound Practice Research, Goldsmiths, University of London

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Unit for Sound Practice Research

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Sound Practice Research (SPR) is a new research group that integrates and advances the innovative activities of EMS composers and researchers. It functions as a nexus for a diverse range of creative and theoretical research linked by a common commitment to rigorous, thoughtful and convincing practice. This is enabled by expertise at the forefront of music computing and audio technologies, field studies and reflection on pressing social, cultural, commercial and environmental issues; and inspired by investigation into and archiving of historical precedents.

The Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studios (EMS) has been a leading centre for electronic music and the sonic arts since its founding in 1968 by Hugh Davies.

Fields and concerns include, but are not limited to:

Phonography, soundscape studies and field recording
Improvisation and live algorithmic music
Interactive audiovisual performance
Acousmatic composition, including multi-channel
Utterance, including sound poetry and text sound composition
Site-specific and gallery based sound installation

To support its commitment to innovative practice, SPR will engage in apposite activity in the following areas:

Foster musicological and analytical research
Promote knowledge transfer and collaborative and interdisciplinary ventures
Instigate outreach and open access pedagogic activities
Maintain and enhance audiovisual archives, including the Daphne Oram Collection

News and Events

Recent Events:

Concert of Sound Arts at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre SE1 (May 2013)

An evening programme of exploratory sound and audio-visual works from the Goldsmiths Electronic Music studios. The programme included AV performances, a composition for fish tank, recombined radio transmissions, a resonant study of porcelain, and manipulated readings by W.H.Auden. The concert was held in tribute to the First London Concert of Electronic Music by British Composers, which happened at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1968. In reference to this, the concert opened with a tape playback of Daphne Oram’s Four Aspects.

Featuring: Freida Abtan, Ain Bailey, James Bulley, Ryo Ikeshiro, Daniel Jones, Mimosa Moize, Tom Mudd, Daphne Oram, Paul Prudence, Tom Richards, Dawn Scarfe, Emmanuel Spinelli.

Part of the PureGold music festival 2013. Facebook event page here

Project Shizengaku (February & March 2013)

A collaboration between Goldsmiths and Seian University of Art and Design, investigates through painting, sound art and theoretical illumination, issues arising from Aristotle’s separation of the natural world from man-made objects. This project involved two exhibitions, a symposium and a Dance-Sound-Visual Art collaborative show.

More information here

SHO-ZYG (September, 2012. St James's Church)

SHO-ZYG is a showcase of artists working with sound from Goldsmiths, University of London. It takes its title from Hugh Davies' hand made instruments, built within the covers of the SHO-ZYG volume of an encyclopaedia.

Led by Goldsmiths Sound Practice Research (SPR), and drawing from the college's rich history of experimental sound practice, the showcase hosted installations, performances, talks and exhibitions, exploring the breadth of sound practice across the college.

More information here: SHO-ZYG

Steering Group:

Dr Freida Abtan (Lecturer in Music Computing)

James Bulley (Graduate Representative)

Dr John Levack Drever (Senior Lecturer, Head of Unit for Sound Practice Research)

Ian Stonehouse (Head of the Electronic Music Studios)

Dr Michael Young (Senior Lecturer, seconded as Pro-Warden for Students and Learning Development until 2017)

Visiting Fellows 2012 - 13:

Professor Shuji Okada (Seian University of Art and Design, Japan)

Lawrence Upton

Past Fellows:

Meri Kytö (University of Eastern Finland, Visiting Fellow, 2011- 12)