Professor Nicholas McKay

Nicholas took up the post of Director of LCM in 2019.  Prior to this he worked at Canterbury Christ Church University (2013-19) as both Head of the School of Music & Performing Arts and Head of the University Graduate School (2017-19); at Sussex University (1998-2013) as Head of the Music Department, Director of Student Support (School of Humanities), University Champion for the Creative Arts and Leverhulme Research Fellow; and at Durham University (1994-1998) as Associate Tutor for the Music Department and Resident College Tutor for St. John’s College.

He completed his PhD in Stravinsky & Music Semiotics and his MA in Twentieth-Century Music at Durham University (1993-1998) following his BA (Hons) in Music & Philosophy at Essex University (1990-1993). Widely published on topics typically focused on music semiotics and Stravinsky, his research work also includes opera, music theatre, musical interpretation and analysis.

Nicholas is a member of the International Advisory Board at the Academy of Cultural Heritages (Helsinki and Athens) and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Music and Meaning.  He has directed two major international conferences: The Royal Musical Association Annual Conference ‘Horizons’ (University of Sussex 2011) and The International Congress on Musical Signification 13 (Canterbury Christ Church University 2016).