Cognitive Sciences/Music programs

Parents Forum
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<p>Here's a thread I posted on the Music Majors board. Based on one of the responses I think it may be more suited for this board as what I'm looking for probably isn't even part of a Music program:</p>

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Hi All, it is now time to really start thinking about S who is just about to start his Jr year in HS. He is a great kid, albeit LAZY. A phenomenal musician who plays piano, trumpet, guitar, and sings in the school choir and chamber group. Likes to compose, doesn't like lessons - likes to learn and play on his own terms. He is part of the Drama club and won a state award for his supporting role in last spring's musical. Took AP music theory as a soph last year and scored a 4 on the AP exam (Aural=5)</p>

<p>He is interested in Music. But not Performance. Not Theory. Not MT. He is interested in how music affects the brain - how the brain interprets music, etc. I have heard it referred to as Musicology?</p>

<p>Anyhow. I'm looking for suggestions on programs that would fit the bill - and maybe even some suggestions on schools or even careers. Perhaps Cognitive Sciences? I'm not even sure where to start. He is a bright kid - but because of bad work habits (which I'm hoping will turn around this year :rolleyes: ) doesn't have the grades for a tier 1 school. Hasn't taken SAT yet. Based on some talks we've had to date, he'd prefer a smaller school, somewhere in the northeast...

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<p>I've gotten a response letting me know that this would be more along the Neuroscience line...any thoughts about schools with something that may work? careers? thanks.....</p>

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<p>I think you should definitely take a long look at Hampshire. It’s a small northeastern school, accessible to non-A students, and it has a fundamentally interdisciplinary curriculum structure that features cognitive science prominently. Sounds like it might be right up your son’s alley.</p>

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<p>Most well-supported Cognitive Science or Linguistics departments at major universities offer courses in the relation between the mind and music, but it won’t be the focus of any undergraduate major of which I am aware.</p>

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<p>JustaMom, your son may be interested in looking at music therapy, a practical application within the healing professions. A thread from the music major forum is here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/729144-music-therapy.html?highlight=music+therapy[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/729144-music-therapy.html?highlight=music+therapy&lt;/a&gt;. Some of the association and info links there may be worth a read as well. He may also be interested in the science and theory of acoustics, or potentially something within the music technology disciplines.</p>

<p>Within your original parameter, do a college search for music cognition if you haven’t already. </p>

<p>Just some food for thought.</p>

<p>Edit: Do take a peek back at your post in the music forum. rudysmom’s excellent explanation of music therapy and how it might fit is far better than any description I could have provided.</p>

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<p>look at Baylor</p>

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<p>A link to some more info I added to your original thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063116876-post9.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063116876-post9.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>There is actually a think tank/research institute that studies the music /brain connection. Google it I cant remember the name , something like Neurological Institute for Music. Its a legitimate organization, and the research they sponsor is conducted by a lot of serious colleges. Perhaps they can give you ideas/suggestions or just be plain fun for your son. I also know they have a huge fundraising concert in NYC featuring Kudi(???but my kids say he’s big)</p>

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<p>Boston University has an undergraduate major in Musicology/Ethnomusicology (which sounds pretty cool, actually). It’s probably worth a look.</p>

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<p>^
So does U Washington (the Seattle one)</p>

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<p>The original poster’s son is not interested in “musicology”, which is the study of music, literally. I think maybe there is confusion from putting music and “ology”, as if it means the psychology of music. But musicology is not the right term for his interests, as someone else pointed out.</p>

<p>It can be hard when a student already has a deep interest in a specific area, and then has to go back and spend a few years getting the general background in the field in order to study it in detail. I would assume that, at most colleges, this son would study psychology, and music as a minor perhaps. Or the student could become a neurologist, like Oliver Sacks- but in order to study the neurocognitive aspects of music, I would think he might start with studying psychology (with some anatomy and physiology, then specific science courses geared to the interest). I would think that an interest in neuroscience and music would only really be able to blossom at a graduate level, but perhaps I am wrong.</p>

<p>Music therapy is a great suggestion. There is a lot of work going on in that field right now. Berklee has a grad program, and I happen to personally know a graduate there, who is now studying the neuroscience of music at Harvard, and doing research, as well as practicing as a musical therapist. Following this path would be more practical, and less theoretical, in a way. But it can lead to some interesting work in research, apparently- in reference to the work of healing people with music.</p>

<p>I have seen courses in “music and the brain” at many colleges, sometimes in seminar form, so that would be a start. Independent work could be done in the junior and/or senior years, on this topic, at many schools.</p>

<p>Another possibility is a school like Hampshire (as someone mentioned). The son could do preparatory work in this area for 2 years and then do the big project on music and the brain. They do have a wonderful cognitive science program. So, I would second that suggestion!</p>

<p>If the student is very independent, there are also programs like Goddard and Union Institute, that allow you to work on your own, with guidance from a faculty mentor, on whatever most interests you. This path is non-traditional and does not involve living on a campus. It would also mean finding your own methods of learning, whether a mentor in neurology along with reading, or whatever the students wants to arrange.</p>

<p>But getting a full background on psychology and neurology, along with garnering the knowlege of music that is appropriate as well, seems to be the best path for this student, and he may need to wade through a lot of substance over a few years, before getting to work on his core interests, I would guess.</p>

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<p>Oberlin has an excellent neuroscience program and great music as well.</p>

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<p>Not at all, and it can. Musicology is a broad term. It can mean the study of music (literally), but it can also encompass cognition, psychology, as well as a number of other disciplines. It depends on the focus of the program. </p>

<p>As the OP’s son seems very musically inclined, it makes sense to take a look at programs that are music based.</p>

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<p>Am appreciating the comments, and am sharing them with S… thank you all!</p>