Professor David Prior

Qualifications

Year	Qualification	Awarding body
2000	PhD	University of Birmingham
1995	BA(Hons)	University of Wales, Bangor

Honors and awards

Year	Description
2012	Phonurgia Nova, France Organ of Corti (Frances Crow and David Prior) - Runner Up
2012	Prix Ars Electronica, Ars Electronica, Linz Organ of Corti (Frances Crow and David Prior) - Honorary Mention, Digital Music and Sound Art category
2011	John Connell Innovation Award, Noise Abatement Society, UK Organ of Corti (Frances Crow and David Prior) - Winner
2010	PRS Foundation New Music Award, UK Organ of Corti (Frances Crow and David Prior) - Winner
1999	Stipendienurkende, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst), Berlin Stipend to study for one year at the Technisches Universitat, Berlin
1998	Bourges International Electroacoustic Music Competition, Bourges IMEB (Institute International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges) an die Materie - Finalist
1998	George Butteworth Prize, George Butterworth Foundation Dense - Winner The George Butterworth prize was awarded annually by the artistic director of the SPNM (Society for the Promotion of New Music) for a piece programmed that artistic season. 'Dense' had been performed as part of the State of the Nation festival at the South Bank Centre, London that year and the award was nominated by Howard Skempton, artistic director for 1997-98.
1997	EAR, Hungarian Radio International Electroacoustic Music Competition Hungarian Radio Awards an die Materie - Second Prize
1997	Bourges International Electroacoustic Composition Competition, Bourges IMEB (Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges) Somewhere Submarine (for Piano and Tape) - Honorary Mention in the Instrument and Tape category
1996	Cornelius Cardew Composition Competition, Cornelius Cardew Trust Somewhere Submarine (For Piano and Tape) - Joint Winner
1995	Bourges International Electroacoustic Music Competition, Bourges IMEB (Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges) Dense - Prix de Residence Winner

Membership of external committees

Specialist for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKAAVQ)

Research interests and expertise

David's personal research is focused on the relationship between sound and space and the cultural history of sounding objects.  With Frances Crow (as liminal), David has been working for over 5 years on a portfolio of practice research, which explores the cultural significance of sacred and civic bells. This work encompasses installation, performances, film and written research.

From 2014-2016 David was co-investigator for the ARHC-funded Online Orchestra project, which brought together children and amateur musicians who live in remote locations to connect together online to make music in real time. The outcomes from this project were published in a special edition of the Journal of Music, Technology and Education, which David co-edited with the project’s principle investigator, Prof. Michael Rofe. 

Current research projects include co-editing the Oxford Handbook of Sound Art with Jane Grant and John Matthias and coordinating a GCRF-funded project with colleagues at Falmouth University and the University of Johannesburg, which addresses gender equality in design education.  David authored the three-year strategic plan on which this project is based and it was one of 10 commended by Research England nationally. 

Research centre and group affiliations

Sonva

Research Topics

• church bells
• electroacoustic and electronic music
• music production
• site-specific and locative audio
• sound and architecture
• Sound Art
• Sound Design
• spatial and immersive audio
• the cultural history of sound technology

Current research students

Louise Bell
Gareth Churcher (Director of Studies) 
Ciaran Clarke (Director of Studies)
Lucie Hernandez (Director of Studies)
Frances Jenkins (Director of Studies) 
William Parker (Director of Studies)
Tom Slater (Director of Studies)
Samuel Murray (co-supervisor)
Kitto Maddrell (co-supervisor)
Jerry Padfield (co-supervisor)
Caitlin Shepherd (University of West of England) 

Previous student supervision

Dartington College of Arts  
1. Dr. Tim Sayer (Director of Studies) – 2005 (PhD) Using Interactive Software as a Conceptual Tool: An Examination of Cognition in Improvised Musical Performance – Examined by Dr. Jonathan Impett, University of East Anglia and Prof. John Hall (Dartington)  

2. Dr. Paul Swoger-Ruston (2nd  supervisor, with Dr. Bob Gilmore, DoS) – 2006 (PhD) Harmonic Intonation and Implication (Analyses and Compositions): Harmonic perception and intonation in the reception and performance of alternative tuning systems in contemporary composition – Examined by Dr. Christopher Fox, de Montford University and Dr. Christopher Best (Dartington)  

3. Dr. Tom Begbie (2nd  supervisor,  with Dr. Catherine Laws, DoS) – 2008 (PhD) Musicology and Mediation: an examination of the cultural materialisms of Raymond Williams and Pierre Bourdieu in relation to the fields of contemporary music and musicology, with a case study of Arvo Part and ECM – Examined by Dr. Martin Iddon, Lancaster University and Prof. John Hall (Dartington)  

University College Falmouth  
4. Dr. Stacey Sewell (Director of Studies, with Dr. Catherine Laws) – 2013 (PhD) The Sampling of Bodily Sound in Contemporary Composition: towards an embodied analysis – Examined by Dr. Anthony Gritten, Royal Academy of Music and Dr. Antti Saario (Falmouth).  Chaired by Prof. Phil Stenton.  

5. Dr. Philip Reeder (2nd  supervisor,  with Dr. Antti Saario, DoS) – March 2013 (PhD) Inter-Piece Sampling and Convolution: Portfolio of 5.1 Acousmatic and Electronica Compositions, Interactive Diagrams and Text – Examined by Prof. Michael Alcorn, Queen’s University Belfast and Dr. Chris Best (Falmouth).  Chaired by Dr. David Hawkins.  

Falmouth University  
6. Dr. Johny Lamb (Director of Studies, with Prof. John Hall) – November 2013 (PhD) I Cannot Sing You Here, But for Songs of Where: Contemporary Alt-Folk Song and Articulations of Place – Examined by Dr. John Matthias, University of Plymouth, Dr. John Richards, de Montford University and Dr. Simon Persighetti (Falmouth).  Chaired by Dr. Kym Martindale.  

7. Dr. Mariella Casar (Director of Studies, with Dr. Chris Best and Dr. Trevor Wiggins) – April 2014 (PhD) Creative Responses to Maltese Culture and Identity: case study and composition portfolio Examined by Prof. Geoffrey Poole, University of Bristol and Dr. Michael Rofe (Falmouth).  Chaired by Dr. David Hawkins.  

8. Dr. Sue Smith (Director of Studies, with Prof. Emilyn Claid, Roehampton University) – March 2016 (PhD) Dancing in the Dark: described dances and unseen choreographies Examined by Prof. Sarah Whatley, Coventry University and Prof. Ric Allsopp (Falmouth). Chaired by Prof. John Hall.  

9. Dr. Sam Bleakley (Director of Studies with Dr. Larry Lynch) – September 2016 (PhD) Surfing Haïti, and a new wave of travel writing Examined by Dr. Andy Martin, University of Cambridge and Dr. Niamh Downing (Falmouth). Chaired by Dr. Kym Martindale  

10. Dr. John Hillman (Director of Studies with Dr. Sarah Arnold) – September 2017 (PhD) Examined by Dr. Simon Starling (University of Plymouth) and Dr. Mark Leahy (Falmouth) Chaired by Dr. Kym Martindale

11. Dr. Ian Biscoe (Director of Studies with Prof. Michael Rofe and Prof. Gregg Whelan) - June 2020 (PhD) Examined by Dr. Paul Ferguson (Edinburgh Napier), Dr. Norah Lorway (Falmouth) and Dr. Doug Brown (Falmouth). Chaired by Dr. Mark Leahy

Number of research students supervised to completion

11

Research degrees examined

1. Nick Trussler, MPhil, Dartington College of Arts, June 2006 An Evaluation of the Interaction Between Teaching, Learning and the Computer Interface for Distance Learning Programmes – Director of Studies - Dr. Trevor Wiggins – Examined with Dr. Sarah Hennessy, University of Exeter  

2. Matthew Martin, PhD, practice based, Dartington College of Arts, October 2006 On the Nature of Fieldwork: A Composer’s Interdisciplinary Theory and Practice – Director of Studies – Prof. Edward Cowie – Examined with Prof. Roderick Watkins, Canterbury Christ Church University  

3. Scott de Lahunta, PhD by staff candidature, Dartington College of Arts, June 2009 Shifting Interfaces: art research at the intersections of live performance and technology – Director of Studies – Prof. John Hall – Examined with Prof. Mike Punt, University of Plymouth and Prof. Sally Jane Norman, University of Sussex  

4. Efthymios Chatzigiannis, PhD, practice based, Oxford Brookes University, January 2012 Aural Evolutions: Intersections of Sound with Physical Space – Director of Studies - Dr. Paul Whitty – Examined with Ray Lee, Oxford Brookes University and Dr. Janice Howard, Oxford Brookes University  

5. Tony Martin-Salinas, PhD, practice based, London Metropolitan University, February 2013 Pitch Resources for New Music: An Integrated Approach to Instrument Development and Composition – Director of Studies – Dr. Lewis Jones – Examined with Dr. Elaine Thomazi, London Metropolitan University  

6. Sorrel Harriet, University of York, PhD, standard route, October 2013 Application of Auralisation and Soundscape Methodologies to Environmental Noise – Director of Studies - Dr. Damian Murphy – Examined with Prof. David Howard, University of York  

7. Tom Smith, PhD, practice based, Liverpool University, September 2014/2016 Portfolio of Compositions – Director of Studies – Dr. Robert Strachen – Examined with Dr. Oliver Carmen, Liverpool University & Dr. Matthew Fairclough, Liverpool University  

8. Emmanuel Spinelli, PhD, practice based, Goldsmiths College, University of London, July 2015 Acoustic Phenotypology – The territory of the disembodied voice in electro-acoustic music and the perception of Acousmatic Identities – Director of Studies – Prof. John Levack Drever – Examined with Dr. Katherine Norman (Independent Researcher) – Chaired by Dr. Tom Perchard, Goldsmiths College, University of London  

9. Diogo Alvim, PhD, practice-based, Queen’s University Belfast, December 2015 Music Through Architecture - Contributions to an Expanded Practice in Composition – Director of Studies – Prof. Pedro Rebelo – Examined with Prof. Michael Alcorn, Queen’s University Belfast  

10. Thomas Voyce, PhD, practice-based, New Zealand School of Music, January 2016 Do I Get a Say In This? Environmental Sound Composition, the Phonograph and Intentionality – Director of Studies – Dr. Dugal McKinnon – Examined with Dr. Ros Bandt, University of Melbourne and Dr. Florian Hollerweger, Massachussetts Institute of Technology  

11. Peter Shepherd, ResM, practice-based, University of Plymouth, November 2016 Flow Interactive Sonic Art: The Creation And Use Of Responsive Strategies To Re-Imagine The Performer-Spectator Relationship And Create Visitor Inclusive Sonic Environments – Director of Studies – Prof. Eduardo Miranda – Examined with Dr. Duncan Williams, University of Plymouth  

12. John Grierson, PhD, standard route, Falmouth University, January 2017 Localised, geographically proximate Radio in Cornwall: comparing challenges in achievement of objectives – Director of Studies – Prof. John Hall – Examined with Dr. Janey Gordon, University of Bedford  

13. Alexander Thumm, PhD, practice-based, University of Adelaide, Australia, July 2017 Creative Performance in Play: A Synthesis of Audio, Visual and Narrative for Maximising Expressive Potentials in Gameplay - Director of Studies – Dr. Stephen Whittington

14. Núria Bonet Filella, PhD, practice-based, University of Plymouth, January 2019 Data Sonification in Creative Practice - Director of Studies – Prof. Eduardo Miranda - Examined with Dr. Edward Braund, University of Plymouth - Chaired by Professor Roberta Mock, University of Plymouth

Number of research degree examinations

14

Courses taught

• Research Student Development Programme
• Researcher Development Programme
• Research Supervisor Training

Independent professional practice

2018, Tin Star Series 2 (12 Episodes) Skye Drama - Music mixes
2017, Tin Star Series 1 (12 Episodes) Skye Drama – Music Mixes
2016, End of the Game for Kickstart, Cambridge. Commissioned by Crest Nicholson                                     https://www.flickr.com/photos/liminal_sound/albums/72157661051520093
2016, Waiting For You – Feature Film – Music Mixes
2015, To Intercession for binaural/ Nodar for the Viseu Rural 2.0 Collective Exhibition at Casa das Memórias (Viseu, Portugal) from 28 November 2015 – 17 April 2016.                                     http://www.liminal.org.uk/portfolio/to-intercession/
2015, Transient Parish for Goonhilly Village Green, http://www.liminal.org.uk/portfolio/transient-parish/
2015, Only 289m/s Away. 8-channel interactive sound installation commissioned by BEAST for BEAST FEaST 2015, University of Birmingham.  http://www.liminal.org.uk/2015/04/Always-289ms-Away/
2015, Report.  Performance with Frances Crow (liminal) commissioned by Fort Process Sound Art Festival, Newhaven Fort. 
2013-14, The Village, Series 1 & 2 (12 episodes) BBC Drama – Music Mixes
2013, Raise, Adrian Corker – Album mixes
2013, Chroma: Interactions of Noise. With Frances Crow (liminal). Sound installation for six cassette tape players.  First exhibited at Paul Stolper Gallery, London. http://www.liminal.org.uk/chroma-interaction-of-noise/
2013, Of This Parish, Performance lecture with Frances Crow (liminal) for SoundFjord, London followed by 4-channel audio installation with film.
2013, Of This Parish. 8-channel sound installation with Frances Crow (liminal, commissioned by Binaural/ Nodar, Sul, Portugal. http://www.liminal.org.uk/of-this-parish/
2012, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin.  Sound Designs for exhibit by Tribal DDB. http://www.liminal.org.uk/guinness-community-map/
2012, On What it Might Mean to Be Spinning, HD film with text by Larry Lynch screened at Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival, Coole Castle, Northern Ireland. https://vimeo.com/12602845
2012, Larry Lynch Meets a Pony.  HD film with text by Larry Lynch screened at Humbly Through the Dust, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
2011, Arcades (Prior, David and McKinnon, Dugal), Who’s Most Lost.  Album release.  Rattle Music RAT-DO26  
2011, Heartlands exhibition, Pool, Cornwall.  Designed by Outside Studios for Stephen Feber. Sound design by David Prior for Centre Screen productions. http://www.liminal.org.uk/underground/
2010, Corker, Adrian & Prior, David, Clipper remix for Portico Quartet (Real World Records) for release in December 2010.
2010, Hum! With Frances Crow (liminal) - A massive circular photograph for Futurescope installed on the side of Lingfield Point power plant building, Darlington. Commissioned by Vista Projects.  http://www.liminal.org.uk/hum/
2009, On What it Might Mean to Be Spinning - A film by David Prior featuring Larry Lynch with text by Larry Lynch at Poetry and the Mirror of Nature symposium on contemporary poetry and poetics, University of Cambridge, https://vimeo.com/12602845
2009, The Boisterous Sea of Liberty exhibit, The Thomas Jefferson Museum, Monticello, Virginia.  Music by David Prior with John Matthias.  Sound Design by David Prior.                                     http://www.liminal.org.uk/the-boisterous-sea-of-liberty/
2009, Swash: 8 channel improvised performance as part of 24 Fragments event by Jane Grant, John Matthias and Nick Ryan, funded by the PRS Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.  Newlyn Art Gallery with a live stream to FACT, Liverpool.
2008,  Prior, David; Phineas Gage Remix on Matthias, John and Ryan, Nick, Cortical Songs. Non-classical records NONCLSS004
2008,  With Heartfelt Gratitude for the Painless Treatment, 3-channel video installation by Anya Lewin.  Sound recording, editing and design by David Prior.  First exhibited at Picture This, Bristol, May 2008 http://imadeitup.info/painless/index.htm
2008, Black Water Brown Water, binaural, site-specific sound-walk at Stourport canal basins.  Commissioned by British Water Ways. Black Water Brown Water was remixed for radio in November 2008 and broadcast across all 18 stations of the international RADIA network. http://www.liminal.org.uk/black-water-brown-water/
2008, Bassett, Michael Soft Verges. Eschatone Records ESC010 Piano, engineering and production on 10 Days, Exchange, Hastings to London & 9.8m/s2 by David Prior
2008, Prior, David with Lynch, Larry.  Larry Lynch Meets a Pony (DVD video release) Featured in World One Minutes: video and literature, ter Borg, Lucette (Ed.).  Veenman Publishers ISBN/EAN 978-9-0869019-1-3
2008, Matthias, John, Stories from the Watercooler. Counter records COUNTCDD14P Production on Open and One Sunny Morning in the No-Fly Zone by David Prior, Roy Merchant and Jonathan More
2008,  Song Pole, Cotswold Water Park, permanent installation by Frances Crow and David Prior (liminal) with text by Larry Lynch.  Commissioned by the Cotswolds Water Park with support by Natural England, Arts Council England, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Gloucestershire County Council.  http://www.liminal.org.uk/songpole/
2008, On What it Might Mean to be Spinning.  A film by David Prior featuring Larry Lynch with text by Larry Lynch.   First performed at the Jill Craigie Cinema as part of the Voices III contemporary music festival, Plymouth, March 2008 with text read live by John Hall.  https://vimeo.com/12602845
2008, Swash: 8-channel improvised performance.  Immersive Vision Theatre, University of Plymouth.
2007, Glass, Philip, Music in Changing Parts (Part 1 and Part 2), Icebreaker. Recorded by David Prior, mixed by Derek Nash, Produced by James Poke. OMM records OMM0035 2007, Prior, David with Lynch, Larry, Larry Lynch Meets a Pony on The One Minutes, Salto Broadcast 68 (DVD publication)
2007, Swash: 8-channel improvised performance. School of Music and Performing Arts (ESMAE), Porto, Portugal.
2006, Derailer (Matthias, John, Prior, David and Prior, Andrew) Derailer Remix on Richards, John, Suite for Piano and Electronics. Non-classical records NONCLSS002
2005, Hitchcock, Nicola, Everything on Hitchcock, Nicola Passive Aggressive. Arranged and mixed by David Prior.  Co-produced by David Prior and Nicola Hitchcock                                     Tempted Records 001US
2005, The Space Between, liminal (Frances Crow and David Prior) as part of a group exhibition. Plymouth Arts Centre http://www.liminal.org.uk/portfolio/the-space-between/
2004, Derailer (Matthias, John and Prior, David), Radiant Idiot Derailer Remake on Corker Conboy Six For Five.  Vertical Form records VFORM035CDP
2003, Prior, David, Somewhere Submarine on Legacies: Celebrating 20 Years of BEAST Sargasso records SCD28046
2000, Prior, David, Somewhere Submarine (5th Movement) on Presence II: Une Compilation d’oeuvres électroacoustiques. Production PeP