The sound engineering programme lays the foundations for the sound engineer's profession, teaching acoustics, audio technology operating principles, sound recording, working with audio computer programmes and other music disciplines.
Much of the study programme focuses on the balance of theory and practice, provided by the content of the study courses, as well as on the opportunities for recording and processing at the academy itself. The high quality study process is provided by the technology and recording studio available.
One of the central events during the academic year is the JVLMA contemporary music festival deciBels, in which sound engineering students record and provide the sound for all concerts. Also, every year, recordings are made of JVLMA students' symphony orchestra concerts and the JVLMA Best Student Chamber Ensemble Competition. Latvian Radio 3 programme Classics is our cooperation partner and recordings made by students are regularly aired on this radio station.
Our graduates are employed in such institutions as Latvian Television, the Great Amber Concert Hall, VEF Culture Palace, Latvian Puppet Theatre etc.
The Sound Engineering Department was created along with the Sound Engineering bachelor’s programme in 2011. Its lecturers are practising sound industry professionals - sound directors and sound recording producers.
Since the second year of the study programme being launched, foreign vice-professors have worked in the department; Jan Schunemann* from 2012-2017 and Christophe Schulz since 2017.
Upon successful graduation of a Bachelor’s study programme "Music and Performing Arts" a Professional Bachelor's degree in Music is conferred upon a student, together with the sixth level professional qualification.
The integral curriculum of the Bachelor's studies, which in addition to academic and professional training courses also include the courses required for teaching, provides all graduates the corresponding pedagogical qualification (teacher of piano playing, violin playing, choral conducting, music theory, dance, etc.). Considering the requirements of
today's labour market, a number of study programmes allow students the option to obtain the right to work in a music school as a teacher of a different subject (to teach piano playing, music theory, a related wind instrument, etc.) as an elective course.
Upon completion of a Professional Master's degree programme a graduate is granted a Professional Master's degree in Music or Choreography. Upon successful graduation from the Academic Master's degree programme, a Master of Arts degree in Humanities is conferred.
At the end of academic doctorate studies, students receive a statement regarding the
acquisition of a doctorate study programme and, after successfully defending the
promotional work, obtains a doctoral diploma and a degree of Doctor of Arts (Dr. Art.).
