Music Research at Hope

Liverpool Hope is a long-established centre of excellence for the study, composition and performance of new music. Further specialisms include cultural and historical musicology, drawing on ethnographic and archival research techniques, and the Department also benefits from close partnerships with a number of arts organizations including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, European Opera Centre and Milapfest. The Cornerstone Festival, held each November, provides a platform for some of our latest work, programmed alongside visiting artists and ensembles from across the globe. Head of Music, Professor Stephen Pratt, is Festival Director.    

In RAE2008, 65% of the music research submitted by Liverpool Hope was 'recognized internationally' for its originality, significance and rigour, and of this, 30% was highlighted as 'internationally excellent'. Recent appointments, including a Chair in Musicology and a Lectureship in Electroacoustic Music, are building on the Department’s research strengths in these areas.

The Department runs its own music research group and seminar series, and participates in a number of cross-disciplinary activities including meetings of the Popular Cultures, Practice-Led Research and Gender in Modern Culture research groups. Central to the Department’s research culture is its growing community of postgraduate students, many of whom are pursuing practice-led research projects in composition.