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, we celebrate we seethe songs art differently. and science of song.
Songs are central to so many of the important moments in our lives. They help us express joy and share sadness, extend traditions from generation to generation, and connect us to each other. This holiday season, our USC Dornsife scholars explore song through many different lenses. I hope it reminds you of the community we continue to build together and the enduring traditions of our Trojan Family. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
Amber D. Miller Dean of USC Dornsife Anna H. Bing Dean’s Chair
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T H E C H O I R (K N O W L E D G E ) BY E N R I Q U E M A R T Í N E Z C E L AYA , 2 0 18 .
THE SONGBIRD’S SECRET ongbirds may hold the key to how people learn complex behaviors such as speech. Sarah Bottjer, professor of biological sciences and psychology, studies the neural circuits that control vocal learning. “When songbirds utter sounds they have memorized from a vocal ‘tutor,’ they exhibit changes in neural activity that signify whether the sound is correct,” she says. How humans learn speech might be explained by similar patterns of brain activity.
IMAGE SOURCE: ISTOCK
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THE “SINGING” PIPE ttach a mesh screen to one opening of a metal pipe, heat the mesh, then hold the pipe vertically and listen as a clear tone rings out. “The singing pipe combines turbulent air flow, convection and resonance to produce sound much the same as a pipe organ,” says Vahe Peroomian, professor (teaching) of physics and astronomy. For physics students, the effect is a memorable lesson in wave dynamics.
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tudies show that singing lowers stress levels, improves lung function and strengthens the immune system. Group singing also leads to a heightened sense of well-being and social connection, a benefit to which religious communities can attest. “When people share a common faith and perspective, singing allows them to experience community, togetherness and purpose,” says Richard Flory, executive director of the USC Dornsife Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
C A R O L E R S AT L O S A N G E L E S C I T Y H A L L P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F U S C U N I V E R S I T Y A R C H I V E S / E X A M I N E R P H O T O G R A P H S C O L L E C T I O N
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eatboxers expertly manipulate their vocal tracts to produce a stunning range of sounds unknown in any language. Thanks to advanced magnetic resonance imaging, USC Dornsife linguists, including doctoral student Reed Blaylock, are unlocking the mysteries of how they do it. “Beatboxing research … shows us the limits of human vocal behavior, which helps us understand how we conceive of sound and movement in our minds,” Blaylock says.
“WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN …”
C O M P O S I T E BY D E N N I S L A N . IM AG E S O U R C E: N AT I O N A L A R C H I V E S , I S T O C K
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he music of 1970s and early ’80s duo Karen and Richard Carpenter — one of the most popular American acts of all time — still resonates with many. Surprising to some is the enormous impact of the Carpenters’ music on immigrants, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, says USC Dornsife’s Karen Tongson in her book, Why Karen Carpenter Matters (University of Texas Press, 2019). “They identify deeply with Karen’s voice and story and find solace in her music,” explains Tongson, professor of gender and sexuality studies, English and American studies and ethnicity.
S P H O T O S O U R C E: W IK I C O M M O N S; B C I IL L U S T R AT I O N: I S T O C K
ong has long been a popular medium to inspire progress, with artists as varied as Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Clash and Childish Gambino voicing calls for societal change. “Song is the lyric of the heart and the pulse of protest,” says Thomas Gustafson, associate professor of American studies and ethnicity. “Just watch the documentary Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement.”
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euroscientists at USC Dornsife’s Brain and Creativity Institute monitor the impact of music training on the brain development and behavior of underserved children. The scientists found that music training accelerates maturity in areas of the brain responsible for sound processing, language development, speech perception and reading skills. “These results demonstrate that community music programs can offset some of the negative consequences that low socioeconomic status can have on child development,” says Assal Habibi, associate professor (research) of psychology.
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hy do we remember lyrics more easily than spoken words? “We tend to repeat song lyrics and repetition helps to consolidate long-term memories,” says neuroscientist Jonas Kaplan, associate professor (research) of psychology at USC Dornsife’s Brain and Creativity Institute. “Secondly, each note and the rhythm of the notes remind us of what the words are. Lastly, songs can evoke strong feelings and emotions, and we tend to better remember things that have emotional content.”
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” — John Lennon “Imagine”
T H E S TA R RY N I G H T B Y V I N C E N T VA N G O G H
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rom original art rocker David Bowie’s acoustic tribute to Andy Warhol on his seminal album Hunky Dory to Beyoncé and Jay Z’s video shot in the Louvre and Don McLean’s haunting ode to Vincent Van Gogh, visual art and the artists who create it inspire popular music. “Song transforms a painting’s formal properties, amplifying and breathing new shape into its emotions,” says Provost Professor of Art History and English Kate Flint.
University of Southern California dornsife.usc.edu