Music and the Mind

Music and the Mind Festival, April 2003

Patron: Baroness Greenfield

This festival was the first major creative and research collaboration in a partnership between the New London Orchestra and University College London (UCL). It took place at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre.

The festival explored many aspects of music and its relationship with the brain, mental health, learning and psychology.

Over four days ‘Music and the Mind’..

•Presented new research relating to music and the mind in an accessible way

•Used music and visual art as a platform from which to spark interest in the workings of the human brain, increasing and broadening the public’s appreciation and understanding of science

•Explored how children with disabilities (especially deafness, blindness and autism) perceive, produce and appreciate music, and how music can be employed to enhance their quality of life

" This is the first conference on music psychology I know about that has been the result of a collaboration between an orchestra and researchers, specifically with the initiative for the event being in the hands of the orchestra. The consequent combination of scientific and artistic events was unique, and was reflected in the very high attendance from a wide range of participants. "

Professor John Sloboda

Speakers at the festival included:

•Paul Robertson

•John Sloboda

•Daniel Glaser

•Vincent Walsh

•John Gruzelier

•Lauren Stewart

•Graham Welch

Performers at the festival included:

•The Pirasti Trio

•Craig Ogden – guitar

•Helen Reid – piano

•Tim Whitehead - saxophone

The Orchestra is currently exploring the area of music and physiology with the aim of putting on a further festival in the future.

For more information on this area of our work contact: Julian

" I believe ‘Music and the Mind’ forms the beginning of a new renaissance… truly an immense gift to both musicians and scientists alike. "

Professor Paul Robertson

New London Orchestra

4 Lower Belgrave St London SWIW 0LJ

Tel: 020 7823 5523

Fax: 020 7823 6373