The University of Kent is one of the globally recognized institutions for the study of Music Technology and Audio Production. The programme offers much more when it comes to recording techniques, music programming, music and media as well as development of skills on the use of audio hardware and software.
Hong Konger International Student, Hector Lam is an 18-year old student of Music Technology and Audio Production at the English University. Hector’s flare for electronic music production was borne out of inspirations from YouTube videos during his early teenage years. He said: ‘When I was in my fourth to fifth year of Seminary school, which will probably be equivalent of year ten or eleven, I started making some music. It was at first a few bars, then it got bigger and bigger, and eventually I was able to make some full pieces. It was around that time that I was also planning for UCAS and one of my universities of choice was the University of Kent and I just went in, put in a portfolio and here I am.’
Building a career in the music industry
Hector will like to return to Hong Kong to practice, after his programme. He hopes to collaborate with top Hong Konger artists like JB, Keni and Wesley Jemison all of whom are currently making waves in the Cantopop and Mandopop music industry of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong music industry is also fast developing with a blend of American hip hop with Cantonese and Mandarin pop music. Record labels like Letter Records and ‘Out of Fashion Boys’ in China have been adding some colours to the industry.
The question is often asked, if it is worth it to get a degree in Music Technology? And some of the quick answers that pop up on google immediately showcase responses like ‘no music degree is ever financially worth it.’ ‘To be good at Music Technology, the degree might worth it.’ Looking further on one of the links displayed in favour of this question on google, you’re directed to quora.com. An Indian, Orchisama Das whose inroad into Music Technology is similar to that of Hector said: ‘From a learning research point of view, if you want to concentrate on music and computing, the degree in Music Technology is like no other.’
But what are the potential opportunities for a graduate of Music Technology and Audio Production? They function as audio visual specialists in television stations. They practice as music producers, directors and instructors, studio engineers and managers as well as Keyboard and studio recording specialists.
Hector who has two more years to go on the programme is currently in his first year of the degree. He appears to be keeping his career options open. ‘In the phase of the possibility that I couldn’t use music as a fulltime career, I’m also open to doing other jobs’, said Hector.
Unlike the case of some music artists, his parents are supportive of his music career. ‘They also have the capability to do so’, said Hector who feels he would be comfortable if his music career path ‘doesn’t pay the bills.’
Hector’s ‘interest is at the forefront’ of the goal as he just wants to learn about music. ‘If it brings me somewhere, cool. If it doesn’t, I can always just go back to Hong Kong and works as a public worker or whatever’, said Hector who is open to all kinds of ways to make money.
One of the key lessons instilled in students of Music at the University of Kent is how to network. This is resonates with Hector who re-echoes his lecturers’ messages, that ‘having the connections and having bonds with people is how you thrive in the music industry.’
Schooling in a virus pandemic lockdown
Like the University of Kent, institutions offering Music Technology and Audio Production ordinarily provide access to studios for their students. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown, Hector has not been able to have a feel of is departmental studio, despite speaking so excellently about his lecturers.
‘The world situation has basically cordoned off artistes from studio equipment quite severely. Especially, I was hoping to be able to get in contact with mixing desk, live set ups, a bit more intimately perhaps being able to do it myself’, said Hector who has had more virtual classes than envisaged prior to admission.
According to a report on globenewswire.com, ‘amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for music production software is estimated US$3.2 billion in the year 2020.’ The industry is projected to reach a value of $12.1 billion by 2027.
Notwithstanding the shortcomings created by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Hector is encouraging potential High School leavers interested in Music Technology and Audio Production to follow their heart and head to the University of Kent to acquire such skills.
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