Category Archives: Music and Cochlear Implants

Interactive Music Awareness Programme for CI users goes online

I am very pleased that the ‘Interactive Music Awareness Programme’ (IMAP) for cochlear implant users we have developed at the University of Southampton is now up online and ready to use @ http://morefrommusic.org/. This is one of the main outcomes of the AHRC funded ‘Compositions for Cochlear Implantees‘ project and producing the online version has been a real labour of love! The computer based resource is aimed at helping cochlear implant (and hearing aid) users improve their music perception skills, it is also supposed to be fun and engaging to use. Some fantastic artists have contributed materials to the resource including Cliff Richard, Philip Selway and 10CC. I’ve loved being involved with this project for the past two years; the highlights having been working with all the lovely CI users I have met and collaborating with my colleague Dr Rachel van Besouw from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research.

 

Med-El Rehabilitation Symposium

I was delighted to be invited to speak at the recent MED-EL Rehabilitation Symposium in York. The symposium brought together a wide range of professionals who work with cochlear implant users. I talked about the work we have done with cochlear implant users at the University of Southampton, and in particular our Interactive Music Awareness Programme (IMAP) that will go live at the end of January at http://morefrommusic.org/

C4CI Grand Finale, 29th September 2012

I have written a whole concert of new music for cochlear implant users as part of the ‘Compositions for Cochlear Implantees’ project at the University of Southampton. I’ve formed an ensemble for the gig, which will take place on Saturday 29th September at the Turner Sims Concert Hall at 1pm and is free.

We have also just heard that we have received follow-on-funding from the AHRC so can continue our collaborative research!

New Interfaces for Music Expression Conference

I am off to Ann Arbour, Michigan USA, in May for the 12th International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME). I’ll be presenting a demo of the ‘Interactive Music Awareness Programme’ (IMAP) for Cochlear Implant Users I’ve developed with the ‘Compositions for Cochlear Implantees’ team at the University of Southampton. Should be some fantastic concerts and stuff to see while I’m there.

New Postdoctoral position at the University of Southampton

I recently started work as the AHRC Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Composition for Cochlear Implant Users at the University of Southampton.  This exciting job involves helping devise and run workshops, developing a music training program and writing new pieces for CI users.  I’m working in the Music Department, the Institute for Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and the South of England Cochlear Implant Centre (SOECIC) at the University of Southampton.  I’ve been finding my feet for the past few weeks and am really enjoying the work.  You can read some info about the project at the Southampton website.  I’ll keep updating about any new pieces and activities as they come up!