Class of 2024
MA Music Production
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
No
JOB:
Self-employed – Music Producer and Songwriter
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
A photo from a video filmed in one of the theatres at St John (QW/003 Theatre Studio 04). This was a film of me performing ‘The Progressive Campaign’ – a show based on my concept album about William Wilberforce’s campaign to abolish slavery which I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2023. The film enabled me to get advance quotable reviews from critics for the show, one review said: ‘Hunter’s script and songs have a Northern grit and fire… ‘
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY?
Being able to study theory and apply it in practical situations. Looking at new technologies and new ways of doing things. I also like York and enjoy being close to the historic City centre and experiencing its unique atmosphere.
I also enjoyed the symposiums where I had the opportunity to put forward new ideas.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
I wanted to study in a university in the centre of York, with a campus close to the atmosphere and history of the city. I live nearby in Knaresborough and it was easy to come over to the city.
I liked the fact it was friendly environment with a welcoming attitude towards mature students like myself.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Since graduating I have had success with 3 pieces of music that were part of my final year project, the creation of an album ‘Connecting With Faith’, which looks at the development of Christianity in the first millennium on the British Isles. In particular I was writing songs about the inspirational stories of the early Northern Saints, like Aidan and Cuthbert: https://northernfaith.bandcamp.com/album/connecting-with-faith
For two of the songs I produced videos: ‘Caedmon’s Song’ (filmed in the St John Chapel) and ‘The Good Way’ (filmed near Whitby Abbey). The Good Way’ has been broadcast on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) UK, the award-winning, leading broadcast Christian TV channel in the UK, airing 24/7 on Freeview and Sky. ‘Caedmon’s Song’ has been approved for broadcast. The videos are also on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernFaith
Another song ‘One Faith’ is now in the Astepfwd UK Christian Charts under the Contemporary Gospel category: https://astepfwd.com/chart/june-2025-chart/contemporary-gospel-june-2025-chart
‘One Faith’ was also recently featured on BBC Introducing for York and Humberside, and it is also on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3dK9sxw62NdYjYtZhgdQvq.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
I wanted to see if I could establish some new thinking about my practice, self reflect on where I was in terms of production and hopefully generate new ideas.
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
The industry days were particularly interesting where you get the opportunity to meet people who have worked of famous recordings and produced hit records.
The theoretical side was interesting – I read extensively from recommended texts and learnt about theories of Identity, Creativity, Authenticity, Space, Persona and Intertextuality.
While on the course I started using new technologies, including AI based mastering software like Ozone and sample libraries like Splice. I think the music I have created while on the course is much better quality, than earlier recordings. In fact, I am now revisiting some earlier recordings and improving them.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
For a mature student, I think it is a good way of opening your mind to new ways of doing things, studying theory and looking at how to apply that in your practice. Returning to education is a bold and powerful choice and it is possible for it to make a big change to your practice.