Music: Electronic Music and Sound Design

Electronic Music and Sound Design is a creative-focused major where students develop expertise in electronic music composition, sound design and production, programming, and software/hardware instrument design – all skills that are applicable to a range of creative and technical professions.

Studio and lab-based units allow students to think creatively, to invent and to innovate, while they explore and develop ideas toward the formation of new electronic music and sound art works. The Electronic Music and Sound Design major culminates in a major project of your choosing, such as an album of electronic works, sound installation, film score or live performance.

Why study this course?

• Learn how to use the latest technology from a diverse team of industry specialists to write and produce music for settings such as film, video games, audio installations and electronic music
• A flexible program that allows you to combine your music and creativity with other subjects

What you'll learn

• Compositional techniques using rhythm, harmony and form
• Historical perspectives and critical engagement on electronic music and sound art
• How to produce and present original electronic music and sound artworks
• Specialised sound design techniques applicable in key industries of film/TV, documentary, commercials and video gaming
• Transferable skills in creative and critical thinking, research, project planning and presentation

Music and composition graduate, Elise Reitze-Swensen is now a full-time multi-instrumentalist, composer, music producer, sound designer, music community founder, record label CEO and booking agency CEO - and still finds time to teach Electronic Music and Sound Design at UWA.

Elise makes up half of the electronic duo Feels, who regularly perform at Australian music festivals such as Listen Out, Falls Festival, Laneway Festival, Groovin The Moo and American music festival, SXSW. They have also had the opportunity to support artists such as Ngaiire, Mansionair, Yeo, Kimbra, G Flip, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Oribtal.

Both a performer and music producer of Feels, Elise has won multiple awards including West Australian Music’s (WAM) ‘Song of The Year’ 2017-18 and 2018-19, ‘Best Live Electronic Artist’ 2017 and 2018, ‘Best Electronic Producer’ 2018 and ‘Label of The Year’ 2018 for label Women of Music Production Perth (WOMPP) for which she is the Founding Director. She has recently been nominated for ‘Best Electronic Producer’, ‘Best Live Electronic Artist’ and ‘Label of The Year’ (WOMPP) for the 2019 WAM Awards.

Elise also works as a freelance artist with her compositions performed and presented around Australia and internationally at events such as Melbourne’s ‘White Night Festival’, Ireland’s Fringe Festival and Sydney’s Art Month Festival and has been commissioned as a composer for Perth International Arts Festival, The Blueroom Theatre, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and The Sound Collectors.

My degree

Elise studied music, majoring in Composition at UWA. She always wanted to be a composer and to refine her skills in the area so she could pursue music as a full time career.

"The aspect I enjoyed most about my course were the one-on-one lessons with my percussion tutor and composition tutor. Being able to touch base with a creative mentor every week was essential for my development as a composer and musician. I was lucky enough to have two wonderful tutors that encouraged me to play and write music that sounded like ‘me’, while also giving insightful advice to guide my creativity."

During her study, Elise was very proactive in seeking out employment and practical opportunities relating to her career including performing for the Queen at the 2011 CHOGM opening ceremony, taking an internship with Brady Drums, working as a freelance composer, performer and sound designer, tutoring piano, percussion and composition and performing for the Perth Proximity Festival. In her final year of study, she secured a grant from the Department of Culture and the Arts to build an interactive electronics and sound installation ‘Adventure Tune’ during a studio residency at The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).

"My study at UWA gave me the knowledge in music theory to develop my skills in composition and become the music producer I am today. I feel that my degree also prepared me for the professional music industry by giving me many rehearsals, practice and study commitments to juggle - which I have found very realistic of a full time job in music."

Why UWA?

"I loved the reputation of the university, the location and the music composition program, in particular. I love Perth and have always wanted to learn from my local surrounding. Perth has so many talented educators and artists! I also liked the idea of being able to give back to my local community with my own knowledge and skillset. I am thrilled to now be back here, teaching electronic music at UWA."

WOMPP

WOMPP is the only female, trans and non-binary Ableton User Group community in the world, founded by Elise in January 2017, which now has over 500 members and has expanded to include all of Australia and New Zealand.

The community runs events in Perth every month, which are supported by UWA. The monthly WOMPP meetings aim to educate, nurture and inspire female, trans and non-binary music makers of all levels. The overall goal of the community is to improve the representation of women in music production, which is currently just 5% worldwide.

Through Elise's hard work and dedication to WOMPP, she has managed to help correct an imbalance in the representation of women in electronic music within Perth.

Since starting in 2017, the reputation and size of the WOMPP community has grown, members have started learning to produce electronic music for themselves.

"Those members have started playing their own gigs and putting out music and those artists’ creative outputs have started being nominated for awards! It is exciting to see the change and I am proud to be a leader for these music makers."