The BCUC has purchased a substantial sound reinforcement system from Shuttlesound, featuring a Dynacord XA2 loudspeaker system, with Electro-Voice ZX4 floor monitors, powered by EV's CP2200 amplifiers. There is a 32-track Midas Verona mixing console at front-of-house and a 24-track Siena on monitors, and the outboard pack includes Klark-Teknik DN370, DN504 and DN514 audio processing units. Shuttlesound has also supplied a complete inventory of Electro-Voice microphones, including N/D767s and RE200s.
The system's use is being maximised through a reciprocal arrangement with the University's Student Union. It is installed in the White Room, the union's largest club venue, where it is used for all manner of live music and comedy events. However, the Music and Entertainment Department have full use of the venue for teaching during the day, allowing students an exceptionally high level of hands-on time with professional audio technology as part of their course. The University also has call on the system for curriculum-based events throughout the year.
The PA will play a central role in modules such as 'Staging and Event'; a practical module which requires the students to engage in all aspects of event management, from inception and planning, to marketing/promotion and running of an event. The fact that the system was supplied 'flightcased' means that it can be used both 'in-house, and at numerous other venues throughout the UK. It also makes the possibility of organising outdoor events more commercially viable for the University students.
Shuttlesound's John Ellis has been closely involved, and has made a number of appearances as a guest lecturer, bringing his experience into the BCUC classroom. "This is a very significant customer for us, because our involvement with them will be ongoing. The expertise of the EVI Telex group of companies runs across many sectors of the entertainment industry, so we are uniquely placed to work with the BCUC team not only on the present degree and vocational courses but on future projects, including live theatre and recorded music as well as entertainment production at all levels from festivals to nightclubs, riggers to managers."
The Music Industry Management and Live Production course is aimed principally at future event managers. One of the key modules on the curriculum requires students to acquire a thorough understanding of basic PA design, principles and applications, which will improve future working relationships with sound engineers, PA system providers, equipment installers and even artists.
BCUC is currently developing a second BA (Hons) degree course, dealing with Music Production and Lighting Design, and is collaborating with the PSA on 'in-work' foundation degrees targeted at production services professionals. The University's future plans include the expansion of the High Wycombe campus, and the building of a 'state of the art' production facility for the creative and cultural industries, which will widen the education/production remit still further and encourage students to get the highest possible level of practical experience.
According to Frazer Mackenzie, head of the Music and Entertainment Department, "working with industry partners has been central to the success of our programmes and the opportunity for industry to have an active role in course design, delivery and assessment, is crucial to understanding education/training needs. Industry professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience which only comes from 'doing the job', whilst the educator's experience of designing academic programmes ensures that student's abilities and skills are realistically be
