Dr Jack McNeill
Associate Lecturer

Profile

Biography

Jack McNeill is a composer, sound artist, DJ and researcher. Graduating in 2012 with a degree in Music (BA Hons) from the University of York, Jack began to work in sound engineering, composition and education in the UK and Germany. In 2021, Jack completed his PhD in Composition from the University of York, supervised by Dr Federico Reuben. His doctoral work focused on the intersection between contemporary club culture, cross-disciplinary arts and personal creative practice. Primarily creating physical installations and electroacoustic composition, Jack has recently collaborated with filmmakers, digital artists, VR artists, dancers and theatre-makers. His work has recently been exhibited and performed at the Copeland Park Gallery Backroom (London), the Centre for Contemporary Arts (Glasgow), the University of York and the University of Leeds.

Jack has worked extensively in music education and community music. He has been the Composer in Residence and Artistic Programme Manager with Orchestras for All and has worked on a wide range of projects with the organisation. His primary focus has been to develop accessible, participatory pieces for young musicians of all abilities using notation and electronics. Highlights include a piece for full orchestra and electronics performed at the Leeds First Direct Arena, an Arts Council funded digital project with the National Orchestra for All and an online sound installation project with the Orchestras for All’s Modulo Programme (both in collaboration with visual artist Bryony Simcox). In 2021, Jack was commissioned to produce a brand new orchestral and electronic work for Liverpool’s Resonate Hub, in collaboration with spoken word artist Testament and body percussionist Ollie Tunmer. His work in music education involves extensive workshopping and collaboration with young people, and he has independently delivered workshops to young people and adults across the UK and in Berlin.

Jack is the co-founder of London based Artificial Hells Studio, whose primary focus is presenting practice-based research around club culture to non-expert audiences. Curating regular happenings at Grow Tottenham, Artificial Hells has invited musicians, visual artists, performance artists, DJs and more to present their work and perform in the space. The group also recently presented a multimedia installation at We The Curious science centre in Bristol for Simple Things Festival in collaboration with Thomas Rosser, Erin Robinson and Mila Moleman. Jack is a DJ and producer, with releases on Blackbox Records, and bookings and residencies in the UK and Europe. He is a regular feature on the UK’s online radio scene, with a residency at AAJA Deptford, and guest appearances on Threads and Netil Radio. Outside of his work at the University of York, Jack is a Guest Lecturer in Popular Music Production and Performance at the University of Winchester.

Research

Overview

Jack's main research interests concern:

• Dance Music Cultures
• Electroacoustic composition
• Visual and participatory arts
• Electronic dance music production and performance
• Creative collaboration in music education

Publications

Selected publications

McNeill, Jack. 'Site-making in Underground Club Cultures in the Midst of the COVID-19 Crisis', Journal of Music Health and Wellbeing, 2022.

Teaching

Undergraduate

• Popular Music and Experimentation
• Dance Music Cultures
• Introduction to Sound Recording
• Critical Recreation Project
• Sound Entrepreneurship

External activities

Invited talks and conferences

Performances