International gathering explores origins of music
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Zatorre_Robert.jpg” caption=”Robert Zatorre discussed how the brain processes music. Photo courtesy of Faculty of Science.”]How did music originate? How do infants and young children acquire knowledge about music? How does the brain change with musical experience? And why is music found in all cultures around the world when it appears to have little to do with helping us survive? These were just some of the questions that were addressed at a workshop hosted by the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind on Saturday, Dec. 1.
A diverse group of more than 100 psychologists, musicians, educators, neuroscientists, health care workers, music therapists, mathematicians, engineers and students gathered at McMaster to explore the topic of musical origins.
The day-long workshop featured five presentations by an international group of experts.
The day began with words of welcome from Suzanne Crosta, dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and culminated with live musical performances from two of Canada's most renowned musicians, pianist Rena Sharon and violinist Sonia Vizante.
Josh McDermott (University of Minnesota) talked about the evolutionary origins of music in non-human animals. Sandra Trehub (University of Toronto) and Laurel Trainor (McMaster University) talked about the developmental origins of music in infants, presenting evidence for multi-sensory connections between movement and auditory rhythm in young infants.
Robert Zatorre (Montreal Neurological Institute) examined how music is encoded in the brain, showing that the thickness of the auditory cortex is related to musical expertise and the amount of practice that a musician has undergone.
In an intriguing final talk, David Huron (Ohio State University) explored the neurochemical basis of why we like to listen to sad music.
“McMaster is a world leader in the field of the scientific study of music, and the Faculty of Science is proud to sponsor the annual Music and Mind workshop,” said John Capone, dean of the Faculty of Science.
Katie Corrigall, a graduate student in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, noted the diverse audience at the event.
“It is clear that research related to music and the mind can capture the interests of people with varied backgrounds and perspectives,” she said.
“One of the purposes of this workshop is to expose students to research in the field of Music Perception and Cognition,” said MIMM director and workshop speaker Laurel Trainor.
In the fall of 2008, McMaster University will be the first university in Canada to offer an undergraduate specialization in Music Cognition, open to students in Psychology and Music programs.
In the spring, MIMM will host its third annual integrated concert and lecture, featuring a talk by Ron Hoy from Cornell University. For more information on upcoming events and ongoing MIMM research, please visit mimm.mcmaster.ca.
