Lecturer in Music and Sound Production
Dr James Armstrong (he/him) is a lecturer, year lead, and lead admissions tutor in music and sound subjects at UCA, Farnham. James specialises in recording, mixing, and mastering, with most of his teaching taking place in the recording studio facilities on campus.
Bio
James lectures on the BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production and BMus (Hons) Composition courses at UCA, Farnham, leading cohorts for both courses. In addition to teaching, James is also the lead admissions tutor, facilitating open and applicant days for prospective students wishing to pursue music as an area of study.
Prior to joining UCA in 2018, James worked at the University of Surrey as part of the Doctoral College Research Development Programme, supporting doctoral students with career development and engagement. While at Surrey, James was awarded a PhD in Music through research focusing on the impact of person-environment relationships on musical performance.
Outside academia, James is a professional mastering engineer, trustee with local music charity Forward 4 Wiz Trust, hosts a monthly radio show, and runs an independent record label. Consistent activity in various areas of the music and media industries allows James to bring a professional and up-to-date teaching approach into the classroom.
Research statement
James’ PhD research approached music performance studies from the perspective of environmental psychology. This unorthodox combination allowed for an in-depth investigation into how different environments impact a musical performance beyond acoustical characteristics, exploring person-environment relationships and socio-cultural significance. Throughout the duration of the PhD, James presented papers at conferences internationally. Since completing his PhD, James’ research interests shifted towards field recording, underground and DIY music cultures, music in health and wellbeing contexts, and storytelling through sound. Forthcoming research projects has contributed to include establishing meaningful methods of musical intervention for people living with Alzheimer’s, defining the underground in present-day music practices, and unconventional compositional devices in experimental music.
Research Outputs:
- Armstrong, J.E., Williams, J. and Horlor, S., 2021. Person-environment relationships: Influences beyond acoustics in musical performance (pp. 246-260). New York: Jenny Stanford Publishing.
- Armstrong, J.E., 2020. Beyond an acoustical understanding of the impact of environment on musical performance (Doctoral dissertation, University of Surrey).
- Armstrong, J., 2017. Experience, expectation, and personal meaning: understanding the person-environment relationship in the context of a musical performance. Post-ip: Revista do Fórum Internacional de Estudos em Música e Dança, 4(4), pp.116-125.
- Armstrong, J.E., 2015. Towards the influence of space & environment on a musical performance. Post-ip: Revista do Fórum Internacional de Estudos em Música e Dança, 3, pp.142-151.
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