Choices
Creative Music Production – University of Huddersfield
Sound Engineering and Music Production – University of Huddersfield
Music Technology – Leeds Beckett University
Music and Music Technology – University of Nottingham
Acoustical and Audio Engineering – University of Salford
Personal Statement
I find audio engineering fascinating. Creating and building audio systems, both analogue and digital, has always been an interest and an aspiration of mine. It is a field of music that combines creativity, science, and maths, which harnesses my mathematical and scientific abilities alongside my musical capabilities and passion.
My current course covers many different aspects of the music industry, not just standard performance and production classes. I have undertaken projects, such as helping organise and run live music events, assisting a local community group and performing jazz in a care home. My favourite aspects of music have always been the technical areas – music production and audio engineering. I am particularly passionate about these aspects of music, hence why I want to pursue it further. I enjoy audio engineering and music production because it is the science behind how music is made and how music is heard. I am especially interested in being able to design and build pa systems, mixing desks, and guitar amps.
I play multiple instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums, and tuba. I also have a solid understanding of how these instruments work and how to maintain them, especially electric guitars. I have played in a variety of musical ensembles including my school’s brass band, swing band, and singing in the choir. Additionally, I sang in Barnsley Youth Choir between 2014 and 2018. Playing in the swing band was definitely my favourite experience at school, I learnt a lot about the bass and the music theory that surrounds jazz and big band music. I have also played in popular and jazz ensembles at college and I have done external recitals on piano and bass.
I have played in a couple of bands formed by friends acting as a session musician as given my other commitments I wasn’t able to play with them on a regular basis. I also enjoy going to listen to live music, and regularly attend gigs and festivals, both locally and internationally.
I attended Leeds Junior Conservatoire for 2 years from 2020-2022. In my first year I studied performance and production and in my second year I specialised in technology/production. This was a great experience for me to gain and I learnt a great deal there, especially about production and audio engineering. I learnt how to use a mixing desk properly and efficiently, how to use outboard hardware and the patch bay in the studio, basic synthesis, how to mic up various instruments and set a live room up for recording, health and safety precautions, and how to use pro tools to record, edit and process audio. I continued to conduct my own research on all of these topics after finishing my time at Leeds Conservatoire and I am now very knowledgeable about producing my own and others’ music. I have also become very proficient with DAWs and have a large and in depth knowledge of synthesis and effects through making my own bass music.
Outside of music another major passion of mine is playing rugby. I then started playing rugby for Barnsley and I joined Sandal in 2022. Playing rugby has taught me about teamwork, commitment and has kept me in good physical shape.
I work part time for Purple Dogs Sales, who represent brands such as Caroline Gardner and Jellycat across Yorkshire and the North East, selling into a range of independent retailers who buy these products. I look after the merchandising in the showroom and have to be responsible to ensure that the products are well displayed. I also do administration tasks, such as data entry on spreadsheets, support meetings at the showroom and help at trade events. In order to complete this work I must be organised, focused and manage my time effectively.
I believe that studying for a degree in Audio Engineering will develop my interests and broaden my knowledge and experience, putting me in a good place for employment within the field of audio engineering.