The APOGEE English Press sat down with Bhavya Bhatia, the coordinator of the Department of Sounds, to learn about the department’s role in the upcoming fest. Bhavya stated that the department acts as one of the crucial pillars of any fest. According to him, most people who have been to events can agree that managing sounds is paramount; effective management of the same is not a feat to achieve overnight, rather a part of a long process.

On being asked about the tasks they have at hand prior to any fest, Bhavya shared that every event that takes place requires equipment like microphones, speakers, and mixers, to name a few. Additionally, they handle the performances to provide the best possible ‘cohesive sound’ experience. As far as APOGEE is concerned, the department itself provides all necessary equipment, unlike in case of a professional event where a production team might also be present. Along with fests, the department takes year-round responsibility for any event that takes place in the auditorium.

When asked about challenges the department faces during the fest, Bhavya mentioned that the ones that are impromptu and require devising a workaround to some technical difficulty are the trickiest. These are challenges that could compromise the flow of an event and the department needs people who can ‘think on their feet’ and fix the issues.

When asked about dealing with setbacks, Bhavya acknowledged the system they have in place within the department that allows them to learn from their setbacks and avoid them in future events. This allows the department to improve collectively as a unit.

Before concluding, Bhavya reflected on how the roles have evolved for him. He said that managing things on a large scale in an offline setting excites him and at the same time creates a sense of responsibility that he admires. He also looks forward to the increased engagement within the department and hopes everyone has a good time this APOGEE.