Santuri Electronic Music Academy
The first of its kind in the region, SEMA is a dedicated program that offers deejaying and music production courses. SEMA blends progressive pedagogy with an innovative curriculum that gives as much space to traditional music practices as to contemporary experimental processes. Our cultural programming gives students new insights and perspectives and builds better artists. Our integration into regional and global networks provides our alums with the skills they need in the industry.
SEMA was the recipient of the 2023 IMC Music Award, the first time a sub-saharan organisation as been a laurate.
Santuri Electronic Music Academy
The first of its kind in the region, SEMA is a dedicated program that offers deejaying and music production courses. SEMA blends progressive pedagogy with an innovative curriculum that gives as much space to traditional music practices as to contemporary experimental processes. Our cultural programming gives students new insights and perspectives and builds better artists. Our integration into regional and global networks provides our alums with the skills they need in the industry.
SEMA was the recipient of the 2023 IMC Music Award, the first time a sub-saharan organisation as been a laurate.
The first of its kind in the region, SEMA is a dedicated program that offers deejaying and music production courses. SEMA blends progressive pedagogy with an innovative curriculum that gives as much space to traditional music practices as to contemporary experimental processes. Our cultural programming gives students new insights and perspectives and builds better artists. Our integration into regional and global networks provides our alums with the skills they need in the industry.
SEMA was the recipient of the 2023 IMC Music Award, the first time a sub-saharan organisation as been a laurate.
SEMA
BEGINNER MUSIC PRODUCTION (BMP)
***COURSE COMPLETED***
The SEMA BMP course took place from Monday, April 15th, to Friday, May 24th, 2024.
SEMA BMP
SEMA BMP
SEMA’s progressive Beginner Music Production course will equip any aspiring producer with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to start creating captivating music. SEMA also caters to beginner-level music producers looking to upskill and engage in Santuri’s vibrant community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
COURSE CONTENT
SEMA’s Beginner Music Production (BMP) course covers the following modules
- Aesthetic Principles of Music Genres
- The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
- Elements of Music Production
- Sampling and Audio Manipulation
- Sound Design
- Composition & Arrangement
- Recording Techniques
- Introduction to Mixing & Mastering
- The Music Industry
- Wellness & Wellbeing
- Final Project
ADDITIONAL LEARNINGS
- Critically evaluating your work using Project Based Learning
- Understanding the possibilities in production with Santuri’s unlimited access to gear
- Exploring the cultural and historical context of East-African and global electronic music
- Developing a professional and respectful process in navigating the electronic music scene
- An understanding of social sensitivities across the music industry
SEMA’s Approach
We believe that the best way to learn is by getting directly into the music production and deejaying process. You will have endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the magic of creating music and deejaying - SEMA will give you the tools, guidance and space to chart your own path to success. SEMA offers access to cutting-edge software and hardware from our global music technology partners including Ableton, Native Instruments, Shure, Elektron, ADAM Audio, and more. As a SEMA student, you will also have access to your own iMac workstation for the entirety of the course.
SEMA’s tutors are all artists in their own right, and are active in the East-African and global music landscape. We understand what you want to get out of the courses. SEMA utilizes Project Based Learning, an approach which inspires as much as it frees you from the traditional classroom environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The final decision to grant admission to any applicant lies solely with the Santuri Electronic Music Academy.
SEMA reserves the right to refuse admission and enrollment to any applicant based on internal protocol, criteria and discretion.
Note: Prospective DJ 101 students can email admissions@santuri.org for 1-on-1 tutoring placements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQs)
When does the next course start?
- Our next offerings will be communicated via our social media platforms and newsletter.
- Follow us on socials and sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.
REQUIREMENTS
Do I need to be a musician or have any musical experience?
- No previous musical experience is required for SEMA’s Beginner Music Production course.
Do I need a laptop?
- Having access to your own personal laptop that you can bring to class is preferable.
- SEMA’s wide equipment inventory also has several iMacs that students can use if they don’t have laptops.
What software is the BMP course taught on?
- Ableton and FL Studio, with the skills acquired transferrable to other music production software.
Once I apply, how long will it take to get accepted?
- The SEMA Admissions Team will contact you within 1 week of receiving and reviewing your application.
GENERAL
What courses do you offer?
- SEMA offers music production courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. We also offer DJ courses at the beginner level, with intermediate and advanced levels to come.
- All SEMA curricula are expansive and in-depth, tackling the technical fundamentals, the aesthetic elements of electronic music culture, music business, wellness & wellbeing, and lots more!
How do I apply for a SEMA course?
- By filling in the SEMA Admissions Form for the course you wish to study.
- Depending on the course level, you will need to share some information about your interest and experience in music production or deejaying, demonstrate that you share Santuri’s core values, and are able to settle your full tuition fee.
- We run a SEMA Scholars program, for outstanding applicants with limited resources. However, for this cohort of BMP, Scholarships are not available.
What will I receive after completing my course of study?
- You will receive a SEMA certificate. Santuri’s reputation is global, having strong partnerships with key music technology players globally, and a network of festivals, labels, music platforms, and further education establishments.
- Students who successfully complete their respective course can have the opportunity to join the lively SEMA Alums program.
- This grants you access to studio time, gear hire, showcase opportunities, and continued support and guidance in your music career.
After attending SEMA, what can I do with the skills I have learned?
- Previous SEMA Alums have gone on to a variety of careers and opportunities. Ranging from producing professionally, signing to labels, regional and international tours, working in studios, teaching music production and deejaying, and much more.
- Follow our socials for examples of what our SEMA Alums are up to.
Are Santuri and SEMA the same thing?
- The Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA) is the educational wing of Santuri East Africa. Santuri is a music innovation hub that offers studio services, gear hire, events, curation, research, consultancies, community building, on top of music production and DJ courses at SEMA.
What’s so special about SEMA, anyway?
- SEMA is designed and implemented by artists, producers, and DJs who have a deep connection to alternative and innovative music, and a strong sense of community purpose. We adopt a progressive pedagogy based on Project Based Learning, so students are always hands-on with their own studies - this is not a traditional classroom. Each student is challenged to surpass their own expectations and encouraged to develop critical thinking about the work they produce and the industry they wish to be a part of. Santuri also intentionally addresses the gender imbalance in the music scene and highly encourages applications from non-male-identifying practitioners.
Some direct questions we’ve received:
If a student is not able to clear the fees before orientation, are there flexible payment plans offered?
- It is mandatory that applicants settle their enrollment fee in order to be onboarded onto their desired course. However, we are a reasonable team, and if there are urgent or extenuating circumstances, we can look into flexible payment options.
(note: this may incur an additional fee and remains within SEMA’s discretion)
In the case of a student undertaking both courses, is there an incentive to reduce the fee to ease the burden of payment or because of their difference in terms of course structure and teaching faculty, any changes would be difficult to look into?
- As aforementioned, we discourage applicants from taking on two courses at a time. SEMA is dedicated to providing unique and progressive training across several electronic music disciplines - there will always be an opportunity for you to sign up for more courses in the future.
It being a paying class, are there any perks or differences compared to free cohorts?
- SEMA is the leading electronic music academy in East Africa. We previously were offering students stipends to attend, though transitioned into a paid course model and are now offering courses at fees that are affordable for our community. As such, our market friendly fee is already a perk compared to regional and global institutions.
Are there work placements or applied work experience that you receive with the course or is it purely educational without outside interactions?
- There are many industry interactions through our extra-curricular and Santuri / SEMA-wide activities, events, and programs. These include opportunities to showcase your work via our networks, perform at local venues, interact with international communities and platforms such as CDR, Oroko Radio, Currents FM and more.
- For DJs, we have offered opportunities at pristine locations like Jenga Jungle, Unseen, The Mist, Shelter KE and Beneath the Baobabs festival. Our music production graduates have performed on international stages like Suoni Per Il Popolo, Nyege Nyege, CTM Festival, Sonar Festival and top local venues. SEMA also offers niche opportunities such as live film scoring, soundtracking, and artist residencies.
If someone may have a day job or a full-time job, are there sessions that could be set up for them to learn either part-time, evening or weekends?
- SEMA is currently in the process of formulating alternatives suitable for working students that will be communicated through our socials and newsletter once designed.
How can I get in touch with your admissions team?
- The best place to begin is by filling out the SEMA Admissions Form.
- If you need to get in touch with the SEMA Admissions Team, email us at admissions@santuri.org and we will try to answer any questions you have.
The final decision to grant admission to any applicant lies solely with Santuri Electronic Music Academy. SEMA reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant based on its own criteria and discretion.
︎Beginner
There is no experience necessary for our beginner course, just a passion for music and the desire to learn. Successfully completing this course equips new producers with the skills and knowledge to start their journey of music making and creative expression with the Santuri ethos of community, collaboration and innovation.
︎Intermediate
Students are taken through modules on mixing and mastering, innovative music production techniques and performance skills, the cultural and sub-cultural contexts of electronic music, digital distribution, copyright, and career development.
︎Advanced
The course offers producers with experience an opportunity to take their music to a new level – from experimental production techniques, building live performances, advanced mixing approaches and developing release strategies.
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Feedback from the advanced music production course:
“I have to admit, I learnt more in a span of 6 weeks than all my previous experience in music production. This program has been a game changer to me and my music journey. I really appreciate all the tutors and the staff for their time, knowledge, patience and passion. I'm really proud of myself and more confident now about my art.”
“The program has changed how I think about sound as a whole. I feel like it led me to take a step back from what I already knew about music production, from the approaches I was already used to and to reconsider, reimagine, and relearn what sound is in general. (...) It also made me even more passionate about sound design. From building my own sounds, to making my own presets on VSTs. I just have a whole new range of possibilities in my mind when I think about making music now.”
“The program has changed how I think about sound as a whole. I feel like it led me to take a step back from what I already knew about music production, from the approaches I was already used to and to reconsider, reimagine, and relearn what sound is in general. (...) It also made me even more passionate about sound design. From building my own sounds, to making my own presets on VSTs. I just have a whole new range of possibilities in my mind when I think about making music now.”
Feedback from the beginner music production course:
“I'm more inspired and confident in myself and it's become easier to translate musical ideas into projects.”
“Not only do I know 'how to do', I now also know 'what to do'. Having experienced teachers from the industry completely changed my approach to music and creating as a whole. The class on 'Experimental Music' was the most impactful.”
“I've been exposed to the most talented individuals I've ever met, which in turn has taught me a lot and has truly become an inspiration.”
“It was incredibly inspiring! I felt the community enhanced my work.”
“It has been an amazing, amazing journey. It still baffles me that I’ve been able to garner all this knowledge in a little more than three
weeks.”
“Not only do I know 'how to do', I now also know 'what to do'. Having experienced teachers from the industry completely changed my approach to music and creating as a whole. The class on 'Experimental Music' was the most impactful.”
“I've been exposed to the most talented individuals I've ever met, which in turn has taught me a lot and has truly become an inspiration.”
“It was incredibly inspiring! I felt the community enhanced my work.”
“It has been an amazing, amazing journey. It still baffles me that I’ve been able to garner all this knowledge in a little more than three
weeks.”
.