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Habitats for music and the sound of math | Joseph Swensen | TEDxNYIT

4,231 views · Published 11 November 2014 · 17:27 · Indexed 14 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. This talk examines the profound physiological effects that practicing and playing a musical instrument have on the development of a child’s brain. It cites many studies in addition to my experience growing up in a public housing project in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. My parents created what I call a habitat for music in our cramped apartment, where, like some medicinal plant, music was cultivated, harvested, absorbed, and lived (my mother started to teach me the piano when I was two). I am convinced this can be a viable
model for a new kind of universal music education, not for the sake of culture, but for the sake of health and human empowerment. I compare the father of classical music J.S. Bach to Pythagoras, pointing to the hidden mathematical essence in music (I call music the sound of math), undoubtedly one of the most important factors in music’s powerful transformative influence on the developing brain.

Joseph Swensen, Starling Professor of Violin, JSoM, Indiana University and Founder/Director, Habitat4Music is active as both a guest conductor and violin soloist, currently holds the posts of Conductor Emeritus of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Founder and Director of the non-profit organization Habitat4Music. He is also a founding member of KahaneSwensenBrey, an exciting new piano trio with Jeffrey Kahane and Carter Brey. Swensen was principal conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra from 1996 to 2005. He was principal guest conductor and artistic adviser to the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris from 2009 to 2012. He has also held positions at the Malmö Opera, Lahti Symphony, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He is a busy guest-conductor throughout the world (in Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Australia), enjoying long-established relationships with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, London Mozart Players, and
Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música, amongst others.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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