Certificate in live sound and event production

THE COURSE

Working in a stage crew at a live concert is an achievable goal for graduates of the certificate in live sound and event production at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (Mainz).

The one-year fulltime course, run through the Tai Poutini Polytechnic, is provided in Auckland and Christchurch and components of the training are level 3 and 4 on the NZQA scale.

The certificate is the only qualification of its kind to train sound engineers and lighting operators.

Students spend 12 hours a week in theory classes and 12 hours in scheduled practical work for 36 weeks. The year is split into four semesters.

Topics include sound wave theory, sound perception and measurement, resonance and tuning, electricity and electronics, cabling, interconnection and earthing, digital microphones, loudspeakers and crossovers, amplifiers and PA systems, mixing consoles, equalisation and dynamics processors, delay and reverberation, tour management, venue and event management, lighting technology and AV production.

Practical sessions cover live recording, monitor mixing and DJ mixing, set construction and design, stage management and crewing.

Students work at a number of live events during the year including the Upper North Island regional heats and finals of the high school band competition CokeSmokefreeRockQuest, and various council-sponsored cultural events such as the Pasifika Cultural Festival at Western Springs.

Other practical work is done in-house at the Mainz auditorium providing sound, lights, recording and video staff for the contemporary music students' performances.

The certificate comprises 37 modules, and assessment is divided between written assignments and a practical skills workbook logging tasks completed in the classroom or at events throughout the year.

Graduates are qualified for a variety of jobs including working for PA hire companies, lighting companies, audio and visual companies, crewing agencies, and large event centres.

They can be doing anything from lights or sound for live shows to setting up PA systems or loading and lifting stage gear and operating lights for corporate events.

Applicants need to show a high level of motivation and a desire to succeed in this demanding field, and students are chosen after an interview.

Prospective students with good passes in maths, physics and music at NCEA level 2 or equivalent, and some computer skills, have an advantage.

There are places for 30 students in Auckland and 20 students in Christchurch. Applications close in January.

Fees total $4225 including GST.


WHAT STUDENTS THINK

Tuki Huck, 22

Audio visual technician

Staging Connections

Graduated 2003

"When I started at Mainz I was interested in mixing music, so I did a certificate and diploma in audio engineering.

Then I thought it would be more interesting to go out and meet people. I wanted a wider range of skills such as live sound and lighting, so I did the certificate in event production too.

You have to do 240 hours of work in the industry. You do the gigs for free but you meet the important people for later, people who can write you a reference.

It is really hard to get a job without previous experience and with the certificate you can show your experience. It's a big plus.

I am the senior technician at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Auckland. I get to do all the set up, operating, take-down and organisation for events in the main ballroom.

Staging Connections has a training programme with an exam, and I achieved the best result in the history of the company in Australia and New Zealand. I was really prepared for it, having done the course."

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK

Haig Walker

Operations manager

Staging Connections

Auckland

"Staging Connections sees students from a number of training institutions.

By far the Mainz students are better equipped with real-life work skills.

They can hit the ground running as far as offering something to employers.

The skills they teach are required in the market. It's a realistic course that trains students for making a living rather than being creative or film and television orientated like other courses which might not lead to jobs.

The conventions and events business is growing rapidly and that will have a flow-on effect for job opportunities.

We took on six trainees this year and three of them were Mainz graduates."

THE QUALIFICATION

Certificate in live sound and event production

Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand

Phone: 09 379 3819

Email: davem@tpp.ac.nz