3/5/2009
Explore the mind through music with top researchers
Shepherd School conference increases dialogue between musicians and scientists
BY JESSICA STARK
Rice News staff
Later this month, distinguished scientists, composers and musicians from across the country will convene at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music to discuss music's role in human cognition and behavior. The Exploring the Mind Through Music conference will be held March 27-29 in Alice Pratt Brown Hall.
Aimed at increasing the dialogue between musicians and scientists, the conference events are free and open to the public. Eligible participants will receive 1.5 continuing education units from the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies for attending the complete conference.
The top researchers from this burgeoning field of mind and music will present their work on topics ranging from congenital amusia (tone-deafness) to synesthesia to functional brain organization in relation to music.
"We hope this will serve as a catalyst for deepening the collaboration between musicians and scientists," said Anthony Brandt, organizer of the conference and an associate professor of composition and theory at the Shepherd School. "We see this as the first step to something bigger -- something that may help further the research and enable us to gain new insights into ourselves."
The conference is presented by Robert Yekovich, dean of the Shepherd School, thanks to grants from the Deschko Family Lectureship in Music Fund, Rice University's Humanities Research Center, the Center for Human Performance at The Methodist Hospital and the Faculty Initiatives Fund of Rice University's Office of the President.
No registration or reservations are required to attend the conference. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For the latest conference details, including a schedule of events and list of speakers, visit http://www.rice.edu/mindandmusic. For additional information or to learn how to receive continuing studies credit, contact Brandt at 713-348-2192 or abrandt@rice.edu.
