Music, University of Birmingham
Thesis title:
Cities are in a constant state of change. Old infrastructure is removed, new buildings are created, communities come and go; these processes are inevitably accompanied by transformations in the sonic experience of neighbourhoods. This research explores the intersection of urban transformation and sound composition through the lens of sonic urbanism. The aim is to investigate how urban spaces, constantly evolving due to social, economic, and technological changes, are perceived and experienced through sound. By composing within these changing environments, the study reflects on the fluidity of both space and place, drawing attention to how sound contributes to the identity, transformation, and memory of urban landscapes.
The literature review focuses on the concepts of “sonic environments,” including urban soundscapes and place-making, examining how composers engage with the auditory elements of cities. The research draws from both music composition and human geography, engaging with key discussions on space, place, and sound. It reviews how urban sounds—whether natural or man-made—are integral to the creation of meaningful spaces, as well as how they change in response to urban renewal, gentrification, and technological advancements.
The study adopts a comparative approach, focusing on two case studies: Stirchley and Digbeth, urban areas undergoing significant transformation in Birmingham, UK. Methodologies include:
My methodology considers Bourdieu’s ideology of Habitus (Bourdieu, 1984) in relation to Wishart’s theory of surrealist environments (Wishart, 1986); Lefebvre’s socio-political theory about urbanisation (Lefebvre, 1996); Clarke’s theory on aesthetic, perception and ecology (Clarke, 2005); and Schafer’s sound categorisation of environment and cityscapes (Schafer, 1977).
2024
Club Together Club
Microcosmic for Vibraphone (performed by Meng-Hua Lin)
2022:
NMC
Rapport for Solo Clarinet (performed by Will Hammond)
2024:
University of Greenwich Sound/ Image Conference
Performance - Skew (for viola and electronics)
2023:
University of Greenwich Sound/ Image Conference
Paper presentation - The Impact of Urbanisation on Electronic Music
Awards:
Peter Redfearn Prize for Composition
Ida Carroll Bursary
Carole Emery Bursary
McQueen Bursary
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Composition Prize
John Mayer Prize
Musicians' Union Bill Warman Award for the most promising music creator
7th Annual Henfrey Prize for Composition
AHRC Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership
Performances:
2024:
Skew for Viola and Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor - University of Greenwich Sound Image Festival 2024
Glossa for Tabla and Piano - 7th Annual Henfrey Prize for Composition at St Catherine's College, Oxford
Skew for Viola and Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor - Modern Art Oxford
Skew for Solo Viola (Acoustic) - Retune Festival at Holywell Music Room, Oxford
Microcosmic for vibraphone and electronics - Club Together Club Radio, Berlin
Skew for Viola and Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor - EMPRes at Denis Arnold Hall
Multimedia at Jacqueline du Pré Building, St Hilda's College Oxford
2023:
Refraction for Ensemble Isis - Jacqueline du Pré Building, St Hilda's College Oxford
Geo-Bio-Anthro - MUSLAB Electroacoustic Music International Exhibition at Museo Anthropólogico Y de Arte Contemporáneo, Ecuador
Polar and Geo-Bio-Anthro - CODA Festival
Cosmosis for Molly Welling - Into the Quadrivium at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Metamorph for 11 saxophones - International Saxophone Chamber Day in Bradshaw Hall
Modulo for drum kit, contact microphones and electronics - Storm Comin' at Centrala
2022:
Microcosmic for vibraphone and electronics - Bradshaw Hall
Microcosmic for vibraphone and electronics - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Tabata for cello and pedal - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Digital Geographies, Affect, Sound Ecology, Sound Studies
PRS Foundation
Royal Geographical Society - Postgraduate Representative for Digital Geographies