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What if we listened to sound not simply as something that supports a performance, but as a creative medium in its own right?Join Dr Kingsley Spargo, composer, sound artist and academic educator, for a fascinating exploration of sound design as a musical and expressive practice.
In this engaging session, Kingsley will challenge the idea that sound design simply sits in the background. Instead, we'll explore how sound can become expressive, political, cultural and alive — shaping the way we experience film, theatre, performance and place.
Drawing on examples from his own work, including the recent play Woman Far Walking, Kingsley will explore how sound can communicate atmosphere, emotion and meaning, and how the choices made by sound designers can fundamentally change the way we experience a story.
We'll also look beyond traditional musical structures to consider the broader contexts that shape sound. How does a soundscape reflect a particular place? How can Indigenous perspectives influence sonic practice? And what happens when we begin listening to our surroundings as carefully as we listen to music?
This is an opportunity to discover a different way of hearing — and to think about the sounds around us with fresh ears.
Meet Dr Kingsley Spargo
Dr Kingsley Spargo is an Auckland-based sound artist, composer and academic educator whose work spans contemporary music, improvisation, theatre and interdisciplinary performance.
His creative practice explores the expressive possibilities of sound through collaboration, experimentation and narrative-driven composition.
Kingsley is also a curator and creative facilitator, contributing to exhibitions and performances through the Kim Meredith Gallery, where he works closely with artists to develop innovative, cross-disciplinary work.
With a career bridging academia and the creative industries, Kingsley has performed and collaborated with a wide range of leading New Zealand artists and contributed to film, gallery and live performance contexts.
Known for his distinctive, exploratory approach to sound, he brings a deep commitment to creative inquiry, artistic community-building and mentoring emerging practitioners.
What We'll Explore
• What sound design can be — and why it can be considered a musical practice
• How sound shapes our experience of film, theatre and live performance
• The expressive and emotional possibilities of sound
• How sound can create atmosphere, narrative and meaning
• The relationship between sound, place and culture
• Political and cultural dimensions of sonic practice
• Indigenous perspectives and their influence on sound
• Site-specific approaches to sound and performance
• Examples from Kingsley's own creative practice
• How experimentation and collaboration can transform the way we think about sound
• The evolution of sound design alongside — and sometimes beyond — Western ideas of music
• How to listen more closely to the sounds around us
📍 Location: Symphonia Music Hall, Freemans Bay, Auckland
📅 Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00am–12:00pm
☕ Refreshments: Tea and coffee included
🎟️ Tickets: $55 per person
👥 Hosted by Love Heart
In-person learning experiences for curious people who enjoy discovering new ideas, learning directly from experts and sharing the conversation with others.
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Event venue
Symphonia Music, 57-59 Wellington Street, Freemans Bay,Auckland, New Zealand
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