In 2012 I was first invited by the Truman Institute to give a lecture devoted to the emerging field of Biomusicology.
I presented a similar program several more times, on- and off-campus,
including a pandemic online version for the University of Missouri - Saint Louis in April, 2020.
Biomusicology: The Study of Music from a Biological Perspective
How does music affect the brain? Why is memory enhanced by musical cues? Exactly how does music function as a form of communication for humans, as well as other species? The emerging field of Biomusicology addresses such questions from a biological point of view, and music is studied as a natural system that is indispensable to human cultures. In this class we will investigate the origins of music, the question of animal song, and the universal features of the world’s musical systems and behaviors. We will also look at the cognitive processes associated with musical perception. As part of our discussion, we will consider the controversial view of cognitive scientist Dr. Steven Pinker, who believes that “music is auditory cheesecake…” As he states, “Music could vanish from our species and the rest of our lifestyle would be virtually unchanged.” To conclude our class, we will apply specific theories of biomusicology to gain insight into the following: the therapeutic uses of music in medical treatment; the widespread use of music in audiovisual media such as film and television; the role of music to influence mass behavior; and the potential use of music to enhance learning.
How does music affect the brain? Why is memory enhanced by musical cues? Exactly how does music function as a form of communication for humans, as well as other species? The emerging field of Biomusicology addresses such questions from a biological point of view, and music is studied as a natural system that is indispensable to human cultures. In this class we will investigate the origins of music, the question of animal song, and the universal features of the world’s musical systems and behaviors. We will also look at the cognitive processes associated with musical perception. As part of our discussion, we will consider the controversial view of cognitive scientist Dr. Steven Pinker, who believes that “music is auditory cheesecake…” As he states, “Music could vanish from our species and the rest of our lifestyle would be virtually unchanged.” To conclude our class, we will apply specific theories of biomusicology to gain insight into the following: the therapeutic uses of music in medical treatment; the widespread use of music in audiovisual media such as film and television; the role of music to influence mass behavior; and the potential use of music to enhance learning.