Summing up 2011

Thanks for all your support over 2011. The Acoustics Group went from strength to strength, with 11 new students joining the Masters course. As a Group we won five key awards: the IoA Young Innovation Award, the IoA Stephens Medal, the ASA Mentoring Award, the ASA Newman prize, and the Noise Abatement Society prize. We welcomed two new PhD researchers Ben and Lorenzo to the group. We continued to strengthen links with industry (Arup, Vanguardia, RBA Acoustics, SRL, Level Acoustics, BBC, Anne Kyyro Quinn and the Royal Academy of Music) through guest lectures, scholarships, prizes, consultancy, working groups and facility sharing. The Group held the inaugural Senior Members meeting at CEREB in January and presented at AES and IoA Branch meetings. In total eight presentations at three separate conferences were given and the students attended the ICBEN conference at Imperial College during an unusually hot week in July. We are looking forward to 2012 when three researchers are due to complete their PhDs, the joint IoA/SFA conference in Nantes, and Bridget will become IoA President. Best Wishes for the New Year.

Destinations for the MSc Acoustics Students 2011

One year on for the 10 MSc students of 2010/11: Sheldon back in Oz working, Chris with Jacobs, Matt has an offer of a PhD, Demir is working in Istanbul as an acoustic consultant, Ant has a job with Temple, Alba now works for Sandy Brown, Jot is back in India, Anne works for herself, Sam disappeared and Lorenzo has an offer of a PhD.

Acoustics Group Christmas Party 2011

A very jolly Christmas party was held by the Acoustics Group at the Caprini Restaurant near Waterloo. Some new faces, some missed old friends, but a great time was had by all!

ISVR Advanced Course on Noise Control '12

The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research is running their Advanced Course on Noise Control between 10-14 September 2012. To celebrate 20 years of guest lectures Steve is again visiting Southampton to give the benefit of his experience -- Always chose the Red!

Another abstract submitted to Acoustics 2012

The Acoustics Group have submitted a fourth abstract to the Institute of Acoustics Spring Conference to be held in Nantes, France in April 2012. Visiting Research Fellow Dr Bob Peters will talk on the Institute of Acoustics Distance Learning Diploma during the Education session run (conveniently by Dr Steve Dance:)

A Visit to Eindhoven University

On the 21st November 2011, Dr Stephen Dance and Mr Luis Gomez visited the Technical University of Eindhoven. After many delays due to fog a productive meeting was held with Prof Renz Luxemburg. A visit to the local concert hall was arranged, and discussions were held on further collaboration!

IoA Reproduced Sound in Brighton

On the 15/16/17th November the Institute of Acoustics held the Reproduced Sound Conference in Brighton. Luis Gomez represented the Acoustics Group in discussions, which were obviously informal! Looks like fun though.

Abstract submitted to ASA in Hong Kong

On the 19th November 2011, an abstract entitled, 'Improving orchestra pits for the benefit of musicians', was submitted to the 163rd Acoustical Society of America held jointly with the Acoustical Society of China in Hong Kong. The paper was a collaboration with 3 MSc students Sarah, Alba and Sheldon. Looking forward to May 2012.

Bridget gives the IoA Xmas dinner speech

On the 9th November 2011 the Institute of Acoustics London Branch held it's Christmas Dinner at the Bleeding Heart Restaurant amongst the student protests. We had to be kettled along the way!! Bridget gave a presentation on 'Life's Leq' - a great title which covered 37 years in acoustics - with lots of emphasising old photographs. There was also great support from researchers past and present :)

Bridget wins Life Time Achievement Award

On the 8th November 2011, to Professor Shield's great surprise, the Noise Abatement Society presented her their Life Time Achievement Award at a packed ceremony at the Houses of Parliament. Bridget’s research has informed new legislation on the acoustic design of schools and, in 2003, she was appointed by the Department for Education and Skills, as editor of Building Bulletin 93 which contains the statutory acoustic performance specifications for schools, under the Building Regulations. Well done - shame the crystal trophy got chipped!

Steve wins Mentoring Award from the ASA

Dr Stephen Dance was nominated by his students 2009-10 for the Acoustical Society of America Student Mentoring award. He is the first non American to win and the first non Professor. Thanks guys - you see Facebook does have a practical use!

PhD Candidate Georgia in Copenhagen

On 21/22nd October 2011 Georgia Zepidou visited Copenhagen to see and experience a new Danish concert hall built using IAC products. IAC sponsor the Institute of Acoustics Young Persons' Award for Innovation in Acoustic Engineering. I believe the girls had a good time!

Abstracts submitted to Acoustics 2012

The Acoustics Group has submitted 3 abstracts for the forthcoming Anglo-French conference, Acoustics 2012, in Nantes. The papers were submitted to the special session on Acoustic Education. The abstracts were entitled, "How do you introduce acoustics to classical musicians?", "Masters course in Acoustics at London South Bank University - A route on to our PhD programme", and "Cheap Acoustics as a Learning Methodology". We are all looking forward to April in Brittany!

Visit to Eindhoven Organised

The Acoustics Group have been kindly invited to meet with Prof. of Architectural Acoustics Renz van Luxemburg of Eindhoven University of Technology on the 21st November 2011. His group is based in the Department of Building Physics and Systems in the Faculty of the Built Environment. We believe there is room for discussion, pun intended!

Examiners set for Nicky's PhD Viva

PhD Candidate Nicola Shiers is to defend her doctoral thesis in early 2012. Funded by an EPSRC Case award with Arup to investigate the acoustics of hospitals, Nicky will be examined by Prof Jian Kang of Sheffield and Dr Stephen Dance of LSBU. Best get writing Nicky!

Screaming for Stress Relief

On Friday 14th October 2011, the Student Union's Welfare Officer organised a pilot 'Screaming for Stress Relief' session in the Acoustics Lab. The guys seemed to get competitive when we put a sound level meter in to the equation. Not sure how much stress relief occurred, but it was funny!

Ecophon International Acousticians' Seminar '11

On the 21st and 22nd September 2011. Professor Bridget Shield, Nicola Shiers and Dr Rob Conetta attended the Ecophon International Acousticians' Seminar in Copenhagen. The event consisted of a series of seminars and workshops. Bridget presented her work with Dr Emma Greenland on the design of open-plan learning spaces. Nicky gave a presentation on health care building design.

New EPSRC Research Student

On the 26th September 2011 Ben Dymock enrolled as our new EPSRC research student. His project is on the performance of the building integrated wind turbines of Strata Tower, London. Welcome to the team Ben!

Nicky presents on Hospital Acoustics

On the 15th September 2011, PhD candidate Nicola Shiers presented her research at the Institute of Acoustics autumn conference. Then the delegates all went to the Glasgow Hamilton Mausoleum to hear the 30 second reverberation time!

Bridget receives Institute's Stephens Medal

On the 14th September 2011, Professor Bridget Shield gave the Stephens Medal lecture at the Institute of Acoustics autumn conference in Glasgow. Her talk was on the development of building regulations as regards acoustics of educational and school buildings. Well done Bridget!

New Students on the Masters course

It's the start of term and the new students have arrived! We have 12 new students on the newly tweaked course. As ever a real mixture of experience and culture - which is always good. Let's hope it's a good year!

Visting Fellow Presentation at IoA Evening Meeting

On the 21st September 2011 Dr Bob Peters, Visiting Fellow with the Acoustics Group presented at the Institute of Acoustics Evening Branch meeting held at WSP. Bob presented with Colin Cobbing on measurement uncertainity. The new and old students once again got together afterwards over a pint or two!

Student Measurement System Complete

On the 21st September 2011 the Acoustics Group have available a full room acoustic measurement system for student use. Students should install ARTA on their Win XP laptop, then using a Behringer ECM8000 measurement microphone connected to a Tascam 122 USB sound card they can undertake room acoustic measurements through a omni-directional source powered by a Class D hifi amplifier. Of course this all needs testing!

ANV Measurement Systems at CEREB

On Tuesday 20th September ANV Measurement Systems gave a seminer on the latest advances by Rion at the CEREB Energy Centre at London South Bank University. In particular the NL-52 class 1 logging real time analyser / sound level meter was shown to an appreciative audience. In addition, both the old and new Masters students got to meet and chat about the course!

Lecture at Southampton

On the 16th September 2011, Dr Stephen Dance gave his 18th lecture at ISVR for the Advanced Course on Noise Control at Southampton University. He enjoyed his day as being a student again and managed to miss the bus!

Royal Academy of Music Audiometric Testing

Over September 2011 for the 5th year the Acoustics Group has undertaken audiometric testing of the new students at the Royal Academy of Music. Let's hope this year's students are as helpful as those in the past!

Royal Academy of Music seminars

On the 7th and 8th September 2011, the 5th series of seminars by the Acoustics Group was given to the Freshers of the Royal Academy of Music. Lot's of new ideas for 2011/12, lets see if they work!

Lecturing at ISVR Southampton

On the 16th September 2011, Dr Stephen Dance will be teaching on the Advanced Course in Noise Control. The course is run by ISVR at Southampton University. This will be the 18th year Steve has lectured at ISVR - will there be a cake?

London Branch Meeting on Uncertainity

At 6pm on the 21st September 2011, Visiting Fellow Dr Bob Peters will give a presentation to the Institute of Acoustics London branch at WSP Engineering Consultants headquarters on Chancery Lane. The talk will be on 'Improving planning decisions through the effective management of uncertainity'. It will end, as always, with a drink in the local pub!

Abstracts for Acoustics 2011 - A new decade, a new reality

Two abstracts have been submitted for the Institute of Acoustics Autumn conference, 14-15th September 2011 at Crown Plaza in Glasgow. Bridget Shield will be presenting her R W Stephens medal paper on 'Acoustics of Schools - where are we now'. PhD candidate Nicola Shiers will be presenting her research on 'Hospital Noise - is it a problem?'. In addition, Bob Peters will be leading a workshop on the revision of the CIBSE guides on noise and vibration. Should be a good conference!

winMLS system upgraded

The old winMLS 2004 room acoustic measurement system has now been upgraded to a Dell Latitude notebook with Digigram VX Pocket and Earthworks M30BX self powered omni-directional microphone. The vintage laptop has been retired after 10 years service!

New Rion products to be announced...

On the 20th September 2011 ANV Measurement Systems will announce a new range of Rion products. The announcement will take place a London South Bank University at CEREB and an instrumentation demonstration will take place in the acoustics laboratory. I hope all the new Masters students can attend!

Christian Marclay visits the Acoustics Group

On the 28th July 2011, the visual artist and composer Christian Marclay visited the Acoustics laboratory for an interview with Wallpaper magazine. Wallpaper is targeted at interior designers, fashion, art and lifestyle. Lots of pictures were taken!

Orchestra Pit Acoustics at the Royal Academy of Music

On the 28th July 2011, a series of room acoustic measurements were undertaken at the Royal Academy of Music. The orchestra pit was of particular interested to Master's student Alba Losada and I wanted to use the new Norsonic hemi-dodec and lightweight amp with the grateful assistance of Luis Gomez.

Brad presents at ICBEN

On the 28th July 2011, Brad Backus presented a joint paper with Steve Dance and Emad Bukhary on "Novel Noise Dosimeters" to ICBEN's Team 1. He did this using a "Show and Tell" style - a first for the conference!

Georgia presents at ICBEN

On the 28th July 2011, Georgia Zepidou presented her paper entitled, "Hearing loss amongst
classical music students" at Imperial College for ICBEN. Georgia then had to answer many tricky questions, which she helded with ease!

ICBEN Banquet at the Science Museum

On the evening of 26th July 2011, ICBEN held their conference banquet at the impressive Science Museum. During the proceedings Bridget Shield received a bouquet for her tireless work organising the conference over the past 2 years, from "flower girl" Nicky Shiers :)

Bridget stands in for Julie at ICBEN

On the 25th July 2011, Bridget Shield give a presentation entitle,"Noise in secondary schools pupils' : Perception and Performance" at the 10th ICBEN conference. Bridget had to stand in at the last minute for Julie Dockrell!

Acoustics Group at ICBEN 2011

On the 24-28th July, the Acoustics Group attended 10th ICBEN conference at Imperial College. The conference was organised by Prof Bridget Shield, who also arranged the beautiful weather. Well done Bridget.

Acoustics Group Summer Party

On the 20th July 2011, the Acoustics Group held their summer party by the river Thames. We did miss a few people, but we did drink to your good health!

Joint Anglo-Franco Conference 2012

For 2012 a joint Institute of Acoustic/French Acoustical Society conference will be held in Nantes between 23-27 April. I've been asked to organise a session on acoustical education with Catherine Polet of Le Mans Univesity. I would think that we could use cheap acoustics as a basis for the session

Welcome to the club Dr Rick

On the 18th July 2011, Richard Hughes defended his doctoral thesis at Salford University. The panel of experts included Trevor Cox, Damian Murphy and Steve Dance. Rick did really well, which was lucky, as it was my first external examination. Well done Rick - minor correction only!

Visiting Fellow Bob Peter's new book

On the 8th July 2011, Bob Peters new book was published. It is the course core text and can be purchased from Amazon now. Well done Bob

Music, Noise and Hearing: how to play your part

On the 4th July 2011 the consultation draft of Music, Noise and Hearing : How to play your part was published on-line through the BBC website. This is a guide for musicians created from the work of the Noise and Hearing Working Group over the past 2 years. It has drawn upon the case studies generated with the Royal Academy of Music and the London Philharmonic Orchestra amongst others.

Threatre Pit and the Music Stand Screens

On the 22nd June 2011 the Royal Academy of Music were staging the Sondheim musical - The Follies. For the first time we measured the noise exposure for Music Theatre, which is an amplified event. We decided to use the music stand screens in the Brass section. We had no choice but to watch the show whilst the measurements were undertaken - at times life does work out.

Strata Tower Building Integrated Turbine

On the 22nd June 2011, the Acoustics and Sustainability Group visited Strata SE1, the new tower at Elephant and Castle. We were very interested in the performance of the 3 integrated turbines and extremely impressed by Norwin's high quality of the installations. Many thanks to them!

ARTA Room Acoustic Software

ARTA the room acoustic measurement system package will be part of the Masters students standard software suite from 2011 onwards. ARTA will supplement the winMLS measurement used by the researchers.

CADNA Training Completed

On May 18th 2011 Luis Gomez and Ben Dymock attended the introductory CADNA course organised by Campbell Associates and given by DataKustik at Stansted Airport.

AES Presentation by Nick Durup

On the 25th May 2011 Nick Durup gave a presentation to the AES Cambridge branch. Nick's presentation was based on his Master's dissertation, "RAF Music Rehearsal Facility" and it was well receive by the 30 attendees.