We are currently accepting PhD applications in this area. Find out more about our staff's research interests here.
- Calum Carswell
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Supervisors: Paul Mealor, Jeremy Perigo (London School of Theology)
Educational background (BA, MA, etc.): MMus, BA (hons) in Theology, Music and Worship
What are your research interests/what are you currently working on? Theological aesthetics, composition of sacred music.
What do you do outside of academia (hobbies, personal interests, etc.)? photography
Why did you choose to study in Aberdeen? I chose to stay here after I did my masters here because of my supervisor.
What is your favourite part of studying and living in Aberdeen? The high level of musicianship within the music department.
How do you think your experience in Aberdeen will prepare you for the future? It will have given me an invaluable network of people to work with in the future.
- Benjamin Cramer
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Supervisors: Professor Paul Mealor
Educational background (BA, MA, etc.): MMus in Vocal Music: Composition & Conducting, University of Aberdeen 2016; BA in Music, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) 2013.
What are your research interests/what are you currently working on? My research involves cataloguing different acoustic, auditory and vocal phenomena that lie outside our current perception of conventional singing, and writing choral music using this new library of sound.
What do you do outside of academia (hobbies, personal interests, etc.)? photography
Why did you choose to study in Aberdeen? I initially came to Aberdeen to work with my advisor, Professor Paul Mealor, in 2015 for my Master’s degree. What really brought me back to Aberdeen for my PhD was the wonderful community within the Music Department. The musicians here are much better suited for the type of music I wanted to write, as well as the research I wished to pursue.
What is your favourite part of studying and living in Aberdeen? Aberdeen feels like home. I love the banter and culture, and I love how everyone seems to be always ready to make music.
How do you think your experience in Aberdeen will prepare you for the future? No matter which degree you specifically pursue, by the time you complete a music degree at Aberdeen you will have some experience in teaching, conducting, community organizing, leadership, composition/arranging, performing, and countless other traits necessary to a well-rounded education. Here, opportunity finds you.
- Henrik Dahlgren
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Supervisor: Phillip Cooke (lead supervisor), John De Simone.
Educational background (BA, MA, etc.): Mmus in Vocal Music: Composition, University of Aberdeen 2020; BA in Music in Performance: Composition, Lund University 2017.
What are your research interests/what are you currently working on?
For my PhD I am producing a portfolio of original compositions that have an imminent connection to time and space. I am exploring how a composer can alter and utilize space in three-dimensional compositions and my aim is to see how far one can stretch the spatial elements of composition, and how the composer can express these, more choreographical elements in sheet music. I am right now exploring how singers can use their bodies and voices to explore a certain space they are singing in.
What do you do outside of academia (hobbies, personal interests, etc.)? I love to hike, travel and explore different parts of the world. I also do a fair amont of cooking.
Why did you choose to study in Aberdeen? I did my master degree in Aberdeen and I fell in love with the faculty here. There is a certain atmosphere here that really evokes creativity.
What is your favourite part of studying and living in Aberdeen? I am currently living in southern Sweden, but during my time in Aberdeen I really enjoyed the closeness to the sea and the nature.
How do you think your experience in Aberdeen will prepare you for the future? My supervisors in Aberdeen always challenges me to think in new directions and I am certain that I will broaden my perspective on contemporary artistry during my research time.
- Paul Hayward
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Supervisor: Professor Paul Mealor
Educational Background: BMus(Hons) University of Wales, Bangor; MMus in choral composition, University of Aberdeen; Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians; Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College, London; Associate of London College of Music and the Royal College of Organists.
What are your research interests/what are you currently working on? An advent sequence for unaccompanied voices; A four-movement work based on the Burne-Jones windows in Birmingham Cathedral; Works based on Gregorian Chant.
Why did you choose to study in Aberdeen? The reputation of the department and its staff.
What is your favourite part of studying and living in Aberdeen? The flexibility around the degree and the general encouragement given by the staff.
How do you think your experience in Aberdeen will prepare you for the future? No matter which path I choose, my studies in Aberdeen continue to deepen my knowledge of choral music as a whole, especially contemporary works. This knowledge, alongside a deeper understanding of my own compositional techniques, can easily be transferred to whatever is next.
- Kwangrae Kim
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Supervisors: Dr Suk-Jun, Kim, Prof Pete Stollery
Educational background (BA, MA, etc.): BA in Composition (Chugye University for the Arts, Seoul), MA in Music Technology (Korea National University of Arts, Seoul)
What are your research interests/what are you currently working on?
I have been interested in audio visualisation by electroacoustic music and sonic arts. It does not simply generate animated imagery based on the sounds. It indicates the structure of algorithmic composition and provides performers and audience with musical inspiration to create interactive sounds, graphics, and custom effects for a live performance. I am currently working on 3D immersive sounds to extend the possibility of my audio/visual research by virtual reality (VR)
What do you do outside of academia (hobbies, personal interests, etc.)?
I play football at least once a week. It helps me recharge my batteries and clear my head so that I can come back to work fresh and energised.
Why did you choose to study in Aberdeen?
My supervisor, Dr Kim is well-known in electroacoustic music. I have heard about him since I started studying this music and have learned a lot from his works. So, when I found a PhD opportunity in University of Aberdeen, I was sure this course would make a great improvement regarding my musical knowledge and possibility.
What is your favourite part of studying and living in Aberdeen?
The weather makes me stay home to concentrate on my research.
How do you think your experience in Aberdeen will prepare you for the future?
During the last two years, my works have been performed in Aberdeen several times as well as EU and US. As studying in UK, I am able to perform my pieces and meet researchers in a variety of fields relating to audio-visual and electroacoustic music. It has benefit greatly from the exposure of my work at foreign countries and also for the networking possibilities.