MESS Professional Development 2025
The MESS Professional Development (PD) course is a wide-ranging program designed for electronic sound and music artists looking to move their practice forward. Each week, experienced people share their practical skills and knowledge to provide the inspiration and confidence that comes with understanding.
From listening skills to applying for grants, using MIDI to royalty collection, playing synths to booking shows – each week, an eclectic mix of topics will consolidate existing knowledge and skills while providing new avenues for growth and expansion.
Along with each week’s class are time and resources to create new work. Each week’s class includes 2 hours of access to the extraordinary MESS Studio collection, with an additional 4-hour weekly, self-directed studio session. Each participant is expected to present a new piece at the conclusion of the course, along with an opportunity to present their work in progress to their peers in the cohort.
Consisting of 12 weekly classes and a 13th week dedicated to showcasing participants’ work, the MESS Professional Development Program aims to develop both the artist and their artwork.
Who is it for?
Participants should have an established (emerging to mid-career) practice and a working knowledge of creating and producing electronic sound and music. This course is unsuitable for beginners.
This course is open to participants aged 18+.
Participants will need tools of their own to be able to work on course material outside of workshop times as well as for working in the MESS Studio.
If you are unsure if your equipment will suit this course, please contact school@mess.foundation
Application Process
Course attendance is by application only. We will accept applications until 6:00 pm, Monday, 9th December, 2024 (9/12/2024). All applicants will be contacted with their application results by 6:00 pm, Tuesday, 17th December 2024 (17/12/2024).
Please note: Due to the number of applications we anticipate, we cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Places in the course are secured by application only. This course is offered free of charge to successful applicants.
Class Schedule and Delivery Mode
Classes run from 6.30 pm to approximately 8.00 pm. Participants can use the MESS Studio for practical work after class from 8 pm until 10 pm.
Studio sessions:
During the course, participants can book 12 free, self-directed sessions (1 per week) at MESS during regular studio session hours. These sessions must be booked between Week 1 – Week 12 classes. These free sessions cannot be used after the course has finished.
Time:
6:30 pm – 10 pm AEDT
February 3 until April 28
Note: All classes are held in person on Monday evenings at the MESS Studio, excluding Week 6 and 12 which will run on Tuesdays. Week 12 will be held off-site at a studio in North Coburg.
Class dates:
Monday, Feb 3, 2025 – Electronic Sound Fundamentals: consolidating and outlining your knowledge about electronic sound creation
Monday, Feb 10, 2025 – Eurorack Modular Synthesis: a survey of the tools and techniques used in contemporary synthesis & sound design
Monday, Feb 17, 2025 – Analog Synthesis Automation: how to use computers to control and manipulate analogue machines
Monday, Feb 24, 2025 – Forms & Structures: an overview of the methods used in musical composition to organise and arrange sonic material
Monday, Mar 3, 2025 – Generating passive income: licensing and royalties
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 – Presentation – participant’s work in progress
Monday, Mar 17, 2025 – Creating opportunities: Fundraising and grant applications for electronic sound & music artists
Monday, Mar 24, 2025 – Immersion: Creating work for multichannel diffusion and installation contexts
Monday, Mar 31, 2025 – Electronic sound and music events: inside the curatorial process of how festivals are programmed
Monday, Apr 7, 2025 – Working with Vision: Music and Sound creation for Screens
Monday, Apr 14, 2025 – Performing with Electronics: methods for creating and delivering live electronic music & sound
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2025 – Finalling: polishing and finishing your work (Note: this class will be held at a studio in North Coburg)
Monday, Apr 28, 2025 – Presentation – final presentation of participant’s work.
The course will utilise Google Classroom to share notes and resources where available, and communicate with the class.
Location
Classes will be held at the MESS Studio (15 Dowling Place, North Melbourne). Week 12 will be held off-site at a studio in North Coburg.
Price
There are no fees for this course. It is offered fee-free to all successful applicants.
Places
This course is limited to 12 places in total. Attendance is by application only.
Course Dates
February 3 until April 28
Mondays 6:30 pm – 10 pm AEDT
Course Overview
Learn more about the course, prerequisites, requirements and class schedule.
Applications are now open.
This course is by application only.
Applications close at 6:00 pm, Monday, 9th December 2024.
All applicants will be contacted with their application outcome by 6:00 pm, Tuesday, 17th December 2024.
Please note: due to the number of applications we anticipate, we cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful applications.
“The care and attention that went into creating the course was apparent from the very start. I've become more grounded in my own practice and also accepting of the changes it'll go through over time. It was a great experience to be welcomed along with a diverse group of artists to MESS. The PD course created a unique environment for learning, experimenting and connecting.”
ZoltanProfessional Development Student, 2022
“MESS is an amazing, warm and engaging environment for anyone who is passionate about sound and synths. I loved every minute of the professional development course and gained so much confidence as a producer and artist. It has been awesome to work on so many iconic instruments and be able to experiment with unusual ones outside my comfort.”
CamillaProfessional Development Student, 2022
Listen to tracks previous PD participants
Check out the work from previous PD classes below or on Soundcloud.
