Phil Maguire

Why did you choose Brunel University? How the course content was useful or relevant for your career.

I chose Brunel for the contemporary nature of the course. The focus on 20th and 21st Century music was hugely appealing. Studying such an active and revolutionary period in music history that is still being written was very exciting, and being able to meet practitioners relevant to the course was a great bonus.

Your career since graduating, for example exciting activities that you have been involved in, your successes, aspirations and challenges.

I am primarily a self-employed musician and sound designer. I have recently recorded for a composer’s library album, written music for a theatre show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and I perform regularly, both solo and with several improvisation-based ensembles around London.

I am also starting a sound design company, Iconik Sonik, with two friends and fellow music students from Brunel. We presented an audio-visual installation at a weather and arts festival in Reading, and are producing music and sound for several film projects.

Your greatest achievements so far (either during or after your time at Brunel), such as a great career development after graduation, a fantastic work placement, overseas exchanges, prizes/awards, sporting achievements, etc

I was lucky enough to be a part of a student and staff ensemble that performed with American composer Phill Niblock at Café Oto. As a result of that concert I was invited with several other students to work and perform at the KlankKleur Festival, a bi-annual chamber music festival in Amsterdam, and I have since been re-hired to produce short promotional films of the festival. I have made several significant contacts as a result of both the concert and the festival.

On graduating from Brunel, I was awarded the Griffin Prize for Music and the School of Arts University Prize.

How has your degree helped in your chosen career path?

I left Brunel following a completely different musical style and career path than when I started. The Phill Niblock performance, along with experimenting with live electronics in various modules has directly influenced the music I am now pursuing, and has led to several paid jobs and performances in the UK and the Netherlands.

Any advice for prospective students aiming to follow a similar career path?

It’s a cliché but say yes to everything. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now if I hadn’t said yes to performances and projects as they came along. While you’re at uni you have the time, the facilities and the access to specialists in the field to try anything you want, and you never know what doors will open as a result.