An exciting term for Electronic & Produced Music at Guildhall School

In September, we unveiled our newly transformed EPM studios, with the refurbishment of existing facilities and installation of state-of-the-art equipment providing acoustically isolated and controlled spaces for specialist teaching and practice. Throughout the Autumn term, the enhanced studio facilities have been benefiting more than 200 students across Guildhall’s EPM programmes and elective modules, including pathways in Film Music, Game Audio, Songwriting and Live Electronics. 

The development of our EPM spaces was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation and The Guildhall School Trust, who collectively contributed funds of nearly £500,000 to realise the transformational project. 

The past term has also seen important changes to the structure of the EPM staff team, recognising the growth of the department’s programmes within the School’s teaching.  Barbara De Biasi and Seth Scott-Deuchar have both been appointed Deputy Heads of Electronic & Produced Music, supporting continuing Head of department Professor Mike Roberts. An award-winning composer, Barbara was previously Lead Professor in Film Music for EPM, having joined Guildhall in 2017, following her own studies in composition at the School. Seth was previously Professor of Electronic & Produced Music at Guildhall, a role he has held since 2016, alongside his work as a sound designer, producer, composer and researcher, with a focus on the politics of sound and music. 

Alongside these developments, other EPM highlights of the Autumn term included the Electronics at Eight series, Film Music Showcase and CHARGE initiative, all showcasing new work by the department’s students, and The Lady Mayor’s Show, which saw EPM students create and arrange drum and bass tracks that were performed by a marching band of students from across the School’s GYA network, sponsored by Dominus.  

EPM students also continue to be involved in creating and arranging material for Guildhall Session Orchestra, which this term has opened up partnerships with actor, and Guildhall alumnus and fellow, Adrian Dunbar, Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold, and film composer Zbigniew Preisner. Rounding off the term, student arrangements of Queen classics dominated the orchestra’s groundbreaking 50 Years of Bohemian Rhapsody in Milton Court Concert Hall at the end of November.  

Looking ahead to next term, the EPM department's Electronics at Eight series returns in January and February as part of the School's Spring season of events.  From 2026, Junior Guildhall will offer a new Electronic & Produced Music course for students in Year 11, 12 and 13, helping to uncover and shape the next generation of EPM students at Guildhall.