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Feb 26 — Apr 2 2025

An Introduction to Soundscape Composition

Led by award-winning sound artist Nikki Sheth, learn how to create your own soundscape compositions through this practice-led, audio-based course.

This course usually runs once per year, in Winter.

If you have questions please consult our new FAQs page before contacting us.

We have also updated policies for course costs/concessions and bursaries, please see our Terms and conditions.

If you would like to:

Find out more information about UCL Public Anthropology Short Courses

  • Be updated with info such as future course dates and prices
  • Be the first to know when  new courses go online

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WHAT: This in-person course is for beginners looking to work creatively and develop their skills in field recording to produce their own soundscape composition.

WHERE: In person, UCL East, Stratford, London.

WHO: Run by internationally recognised sound artist and composer; Nikki Sheth

WHEN: 6 sessions, Wednesday 26th February 6-8 pm to Wednesday 2nd April 6-8 pm

HOW MUCH: General: £390 | Student/concession: £380 | UCL Student: £370

COSTS & BURSARIES: Please see our Terms & Conditions for information on our rates & concessions.

 

This in-person course is for beginners looking to work creatively and develop their skills in field recording to produce their own soundscape composition. We will look at fundamental theoretical and conceptual debates in the area, the basics of field recording, acoustic ecology and soundwalking, how to get started with Reaper and how to creatively compose with environmental recordings. At the end of the course, you will have a collection of your own field recordings to work with in the future and a completed soundscape composition. This course engages with and intersects art, climate change, ecology, soundscape, field recording and musical composition.

  • Participants are required to bring their own headphones and are welcome to bring any field recording equipment if they have any
  • No previous experience is required but some basic audio knowledge would be useful
  • Participants will be expected to complete small listening and practical tasks outside of class

 

Learning outcomes:

  • Gain confidence using field recording equipment through practical sessions
  • Engage with a new way of listening and working with environmental sounds
  • Gain an understanding of fundamental theory and history of soundscape composition
  • Learn how to use the DAW Reaper
  • Learn useful skills and methodologies in creating an engaging soundscape composition that are transferable and can be used in the context of soundwalks, performances, radio, film, installation and more

 

Course outline

The following topics are only indicative:

Across 6 sessions:

Field recording
Microphones

Soundscape Composition
Acoustic Ecology
Getting started with Reaper 1Soundwalking and Sound Maps
Getting started with Reaper 2Getting started with Reaper 3
Soundscape Composition (creative composition)

Tutorials and sharing session of final works

 

“Nikki is a very thorough and efficient teacher, her way of explaining the practical elements made it so enjoyable and her course materials were very in depth.” – Previous course participant

“Nikki is a great teacher, very fun, knowledgeable and thoughtful. Highly recommend her class if you want to learn and produce a soundscape composition.” – Previous course participant

If you would like to:

  • Find out more information about UCL Public Anthropology Short Courses
  • Be updated with info such as future course dates and prices
  • Be the first to know when  new courses go online

please subscribe to our mailing list.

 

If you still have other questions relating to a specific course or request, please get in touch with us via emailing shortcourses@opencitylondon.com

or call us at +44 20 3108 7586

Image: John Lucy

 

Tutors

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Nikki Sheth

Tutor

Nikki Sheth is an internationally recognised sound artist and composer. Her work aims to give voice to the environment and foster a deeper connection with the natural world through field recordings, soundscape composition, spatial audio practices, multimedia installations, and sound walking. She holds a PhD in Musical Composition from The University of Birmingham, her thesis was titled ‘Blurring the Lines Between Field Recording, Soundscape Composition and Acousmatic Music’. She was awarded a Sound and Music award (2020), nominated for the Phonurgia Nova Awards (2020), received an Honourable Mention for the Sound of the Year Awards (2021), nominated for Ivor Novello Composer Award (2021), awarded a Sound and Music Seed Award for New Voices (2022) and winner of the Leah Reid Award from the International Alliance for Women in Music (2023). She recently collaborated on the ‘Disruptive Frequencies’ album released with Nonclassical and her debut album, ‘Sounds of Mmabolela’ was released with Flaming Pines in 2021. Her work has been presented internationally, most recently at The World Forum for Acoustic Ecology Conference (Florida), Ars Electronica (Austria), A&E Labs (Chatham), The Wellcome Collection (London) and MANTIS (Manchester) and she has been featured on Framework Radio, Clydebuilt Radio, Resonance FM and BBC Radio 3. She is currently in Australia on the Refinery | Natural Ecologies Artist Residency with the SCCA and UniSC.