Adventures in Aberdeen: Scenes+Sessions Returns for 2025!
- Chiron Farrimond
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
For the third consecutive year, I had the distinct privilege of participating and providing technical advice in a great film music project, generously funded by the University of Aberdeen's 'Development Trust.' This initiative is specifically tailored for students of Aberdeen University, providing them with invaluable opportunities to engage in the world of film music composition and performance. This year's project featured an instrumental arrangement comprising a string and woodwind octet, which included instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. The driving force behind this project is Xavier Lo, who originally conceptualised 'Scenes+Sessions' in 2023. Alongside my esteemed colleagues (and wonderful friends), Sam Griffiths and Jonathan Worsley, we have witnessed the continued success of 'Scenes+Sessions.' We are profoundly grateful for the enthusiastic participation of the students and musicians who contribute their talents to this project, as their involvement is crucial to the project's ongoing success.
Scenes+Sessions 2025 built upon the foundation established during its previous years, offering students the opportunity to have a purposefully crafted piece recorded with a professional ensemble. This process was guided by the Scenes+Sessions's four main organisers and culminated in the main recording session on March 22, 2025. Each workshop focused on specific aspects of film music structure and composition, including writing music tailored to the chosen ensemble, effectively synchronising time signature and tempo with film, and creating and adhering to standards for sheet music. Additionally, technical details on generating orchestral templates, mock-ups, and click tracks were covered. Similar to last year, two post-recording workshops are also planned to address basic mixing/mastering and provide insights into industry contracts and business practices. These topics were divided up between the four organisers: Jonathan's workshops focused deeply on orchestration, while Xavier's specialised in film music theory, notation, and editing. Sam's sessions addressed DAW-based (Digital Audio Workstation) film scoring, contract negotiation, and business practices. My workshops encompassed DAW setup, template creation, mixing, and mastering techniques.
Once again, I had the wonderful opportunity to have a piece recorded with this year's ensemble. The session footage is available below via a YouTube video. This experience was not only enjoyable for me but also served as a practical example for the workshops conducted during this period.
In the workshops leading up to the recording session, two primary types of scoring methods were discussed: notation software (Avid Sibelius) and DAW-based methods (Reaper, Pro Tools, or Logic.
My focus was on DAW-based project setups. The piece I composed was crafted to help explain various concepts, including:
Markers: Understanding how to use markers for organisation and navigation within a project.
Tempo Maps: Creating and manipulating tempo maps for spotting and hit points; explored further with Sam.
Time Signatures: Exploring different time signatures for spotting; explored further by Jonathan.
MIDI Editing & Exporting: Learn techniques for editing MIDI tracks and exporting them for further use.
In addition to these topics, I also delved into more advanced areas, such as:
Orchestral Templates: Setting up templates to streamline the scoring process.
Audio Routing: Understanding audio routing for effective mixing.
Sample Libraries: Utilising sample libraries to enhance the compositional realism.
Mockups: Creating mockups to represent the final sound of a piece before actual recording.
Finally, the recording of my piece was utilised as a valuable resource to assist students in learning how to mix and master their compositions. This process involved addressing equalisation, compression, and reverb, which are crucial for achieving a cohesive, polished sound. The purpose of the workshops is to equip participants with the foundational knowledge needed to enter the film industry. In this competitive field, individuals often take on multiple roles initially, requiring them to be versatile and adaptable. By providing workshops covering a diverse set of topics, we aimed to prepare students for the challenges they might encounter in their careers.
Some interesting technical details: This year's setup involved 15 microphones. We opted for a Decca tree setup complemented by eight close mics, outriggers, and a stereo room pair. The decca tree, using three AKG P420s, is a favored choice for film music recording as it is positioned high above and within the orchestra (or, in this case, octet). This often results in a well-balanced sound with sufficient sonic clarity while capturing room tone, as the microphones in this array are set to omnidirectional mode (capturing sound from all directions). In this instance, the sound was further enhanced by two outriggers placed in line with the decca tree but spread out more on each side.
Participating in Scenes+Sessions 2025 was an extraordinary experience this year. I look forward to collaborating with Sam, Xavier and Jontathan again to build upon the remarkable achievements for 2026. Below, you will find links to those who contributed to this project. Thank you to everyone who participated.
For last year's blog post on Scenes+Sessions 2024, click here.
In addition, Jonathan offers private lessons in music theory, orchestration, and film composition for those interested in learning these subjects outside of this project. More information can be found on his website below.
For Sam, questions and queries can be directed via his website for film and media music and composition.
In the same way, I offer mixing/mastering services and technical expertise. To reach out to me, visit the contact section here.
For Xavier, who is specialised in publishing and processing, he can also be reached out through his website.
Organisers
Sam Griffiths - https://www.samgriffithsmusic.com
Xavier Lo - https://www.xavierlomusic.com
Jonathan Worsley - https://www.jonathanworsley.co.uk
Chiron Farrimond - https://www.chirontobiasfarrimond.com
Comments