The University of Kent has launched a new Centre for Music and Audio Technology (CMAT) which aims to equip students with the range of skills it deems necessary for a career in the music industry.
Launched on 12 July and based on Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, CMAT has been designed to meet the industry’s needs in three key areas: music performance, music technology and music business.
Its undergraduate courses will give students the opportunity to make full use of state-of-the-art facilities, including an impressive array of recording and mixing desks, recording studios and sound-proofed practice rooms.
The ‘state-of-the-art’ equipment at CMAT includes: New Neve Genesys Black G48 Recording Console with 5.1 Genelec monitors; SSL Matrix Console; Foley Recording Studio; Flexible Surround Sound Studio; Workstation rooms featuring iMacs and industry-standard audio software; Music practice rooms; Full range of performance spaces.
CMAT builds on a long tradition of music education and music making at Kent. It will also form a key part of the University’s growing emphasis on the creative and cultural industries.
The launch event, which took place at the Royal Dockyard Church was attended by University staff and representatives from Medway Council.
University staff included Professor Nick Grief, Dean for Medway; Professor Simon Kirchin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Liz Moran, Director of Arts and Culture; and Dr Paul Fretwell, Head of CMAT. The audience enjoyed musical performances by both music students and staff.
The new degrees currently recruiting at CMAT are: BA (Hons) Music Business and Production, BA (Hons) Music, Performance and Production’ and BSc (Hons) Music Technology and Audio Production.