Digital Music and Sound Arts, at University of Brighton
Established in 2003, Digital Music and Sound Arts, was the first university course dedicated to sound art in Britain. Embedded in a practice-lead curriculum of creative sound production for music and moving image, and with a broad media orientation at its core, sound is approached as an art-specific medium linked to other art forms, such as installation, sculpture, projection and performance – in indoor and outdoor settings.
Over the years the course has produced numerous sound artists, many of them now contributing to a growing sound art culture in the UK. It has forged connections with artists, educators and researchers in nationally and abroad. This is reflected in the international SoundTalk series, as well as in publications, conference presentations, curations, art tours and collaborative projects.
DMSA remains dedicated to the expansive artistic practice and academic theory of sound art across its evolving, relational and hybrid spectrum. It is linked to the Creative Sound and Music Research and Enterprise Group of the University. In 2019, the course introduced an MA, offering the possibility of post-graduate sound studies.
Digital Music and Sound Arts: Sound Art Highlights
SoundTalk Series • 2004–current
This ongoing series, organised by DMSA since 2004, invites renowned international and national sound art practitioners and curators to talk about their work. Speakers include: Peter Cusack, Brandon LaBelle, John Wynne, Max Eastley, Liminal, Adinda van’t Klooster, Douglas Henderson, John Levack Drever.
Sound Exchange • 2005–2007
Brighton University, Faculty of Arts & Architecture
An open exchange forum for practitioners and theoreticians from different artistic disciplines within the art school, responding to the growing number of colleagues working with sound in an increasingly hybrid art world and intending to encourage cross-genre dialogue and collaboration.
A Thing Heard: Four Ways of Listening (sonic arts tour)
various venues; UK & Germany • August 2017
Five sound installations and objects by DMSA graduates and staff taken on a summer tour through the UK and Berlin.
ReHear: DMSA Audiowalk • Brighton Digital Festival • 2017
An audio walk in which sound compositions by DMSA students and staff can be accessed via smart phone at 12 locations in the centre of Brighton.