NOVARS Research Centre

Description

Established in March 2007, the NOVARS research centre specialises in the areas of interactive music and media, audification, electroacoustic composition, game-audio, and locative-audio.

As part of an expansion to its research programme in electroacoustic composition, The University of Manchester invested £2.2 million in a new cutting-edge studio infrastructure. NOVARS directly benefits from these facilities and is based in the electroacoustic building designed by Cruickshank and Seward.

In collaboration with the Music department, they offer a well-integrated pathway at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels which merges electroacoustic composition, instrumental composition and music theatre, and includes experimental and contemporary performance practice. They also offer a joint course with the Royal Northern College of Music. With access to esteemed performers in residence, NOVARS appeals to composers willing to experiment with extended techniques, chamber groups or large-scale instrumental forces in combination with new music technologies.

Their current research projects focus on sound spatialisation and diffusion of acousmatic composition, machine musicianship, cross-disciplinary projects including collaborations with sports science and biotechnology, and a range of interactive applications of sonic art, including: geo-locative tourist and cultural experiences augmented through sonic art; immersive multimedia experiences incorporating virtual or augmented reality and/or augmented reality where sound is the central, determining component; and composition using live game-audio with virtual and real performers, exploring the creative interactions between humans and VR/AR in digital performance.

Their MANTIS Festival (Manchester Theatre in Sound) explores new areas of creativity and pushes the boundaries of acousmatic performance. The event is an experimental research space for postgraduate students, an international platform for the performance and diffusion of electroacoustic music, and a valuable support network for hosting events in the field of computer music.

NOVARS has a clear focus on building a community and projecting its research internationally. Their research community is one of their most significant achievements and synergies between their artistic and scientific communities which have led to many projects, concerts, events, prizes and activities.

They work hard to keep strong links with their researchers after they graduate and aim to grow sustainably to ensure the quality and focus of the work they do.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2007

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL