Activities and events
USSS run a range of concerts, workshops and events exploring acousmatic, electroacoustic and electronic music.
Sound Junction
The Sound Junction series has one central aim: to make acousmatic, electroacoustic and electronic music accessible to a listening public, by presenting the most exciting and innovative music from around the globe, live in concert. Using a purpose-built sound diffusion system, and with technical support from the University of Sheffield Sound Studios, these events present increasingly diverse musical forms and styles in ideal listening conditions; a dark, concert space filled with loudspeakers, thus allowing for concentrated, dedicated listening.
Over the past 15 years, Sound Junction has presented a wide range of home-grown, national and international composers to the public, including many of the world's leading electroacoustic figures.
Composing (with) Systems
USSS invites contributions exploring the active role of systems in composition and sonic practice. We invite contributions that explore a wide range of systems including not only digital and electronic systems (eg modular, algorithmic, generative and AI based systems) but also conceptual systems, instrument design and adaptation, performance ecologies, assemblages and games. We welcome practical and theoretical contributions concerned with any area or period of music and sonic practice wherein systems have an active role in shaping, mediating, refracting or otherwise transforming the creative will.
Event information and proposal form
John Chowning Residency
USSS were honoured to be able to host Professor John Chowning during a recent visit to Sheffield to deliver a lecture and performance in conjunction with Sheffield’s No Bounds festival. During his visit Chowning worked in the University of Sheffield Sound Studios developing new work in collaboration with Mark Fell.
Chowning is a leading figure in electronic and computer music. Chowning discovered the frequency modulation synthesis (FM) algorithm in 1967. Inspired by the perceptual research of Jean-Claude Risset, he worked toward turning this discovery into a system of musical importance, using it extensively in his compositions. Chowning taught computer-sound synthesis and composition at Stanford University's Department of Music. In 1974, with John Grey, James (Andy) Moorer, Loren Rush and Leland Smith, he founded the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), which remains one of the leading centers for computer music and related research.
Patchworks
Patchworks is a workshop where staff and students interested in electronic music meet, share ideas, listen to work in progress and find solutions to technical issues.
Interactive installation
International scholarships
We offer a generous package of financial support for international students, including undergraduate and postgraduate taught scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee.
Applications are open for existing offer holders for programmes starting in autumn 2025.