Offers performers, teachers, and researchers, new perspectives and practical guidance for enhancing performance and managing the stress that typically accompanies performance situations. It draws together the findings of pioneering initiatives from across the arts and sciences.

The Gustavus Choir has long stood as the premiere choral ensemble on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, USA. It is a tradition-rich group that binds its members across generations. Whether it be singing “Praise to the Lord,” or touring across the country, the choir has developed a lasting place on the choral landscape. Throughout its history, one common element has been a constant for the Gustavus Choir; the ensemble’s commitment to musical excellence. For seventy-five years, the members of The Gustavus Choir have lifted their voices in beauty and praise from the small campus on top of the hill. This internationally recognized choral ensemble has provided a heritage of choral music that is deeply rooted in the a cappella tradition. Commitment to Musical Excellence: A 75 Year History of The Gustavus Choir documents the development of The Gustavus Choir from the college’s earliest choral activities through the 75th anniversary celebration, noting the influence of F. Melius Christiansen and the Lutheran Choral School. The legacy of each of the choir’s six conductors is chronicled, including an in-depth look into their musical backgrounds and the indelible mark each has left on the choir. The book charts the development of the choir’s touring tradition, providing lists of literature performed and tour itineraries. It also explores the philosophy and mission of The Gustavus Choir, delving into the role of the ensemble within the Gustavus music department, the college, and the global community.

This accessible Companion provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive introduction to French music from the early middle ages to the present.

When the first edition of Queering the Pitch was published in early 1994, it was immediately hailed as a landmark and defining work in the new field of Gay Musicology. In light of the explosion of Gay Musicology since 1994, a new edition of Queering the Pitch is timely and needed. In this new work, the editors are including a landmark essay by Philip Brett on Gay Musicology, its history and scope. The essay itself has become a cause celebre, and this will be its first full appearance in print. Along with this new historical essay, the editors are contributing a new introduction that outlines the changes that have occurred over the last decade as Gay Musicology has grown.

This book provides an overview of professional musicians working within the healthcare system and explores programs that bring music into the environment of the hospital. Far from being onstage, musicians in the hospital provide musical engagement for patients and healthcare providers focused on life-and-death issues. Music in healthcare offers a new and growing area for musical careers, distinct from the field of music therapy in which music is engaged to advance defined clinical goals. Rather, this volume considers what happens when musicians interact with the clinical environment as artists, and how musical careers and artistic practices can develop through work in a hospital setting. It outlines the specialized skills and training required to navigate safely and effectively within the healthcare context. The contributors draw on their experiences with collaborations between the performing arts and medicine at Boston University/Boston Medical Center, University of Florida/UF Health Shands Hospital, and the Peabody Institute/Johns Hopkins Medicine. These experiences, as well as the experiences of artists spotlighted throughout the volume, offer stories of thriving artistic practices and collaborations that outline a new field for tomorrow's musical artists.

Why do some children take up music, while others don't? Why do some excel, while others give up? 'Music in our lives' takes an innovative approach to answering these questions. It is drawn from a research project that spanned fourteen years, and closely followed the lives of over 150 children learning music - with enlightening conclusions.

The second edition of The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology updates the original landmark text and provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments in this fast-growing area of research. Covering both experimental and theoretical perspectives, each of the 11 sections is edited by an internationally recognised authority in the area. The first ten parts present chapters that focus on specific areas of music psychology: the origins and functions of music; music perception, responses to music; music and the brain; musical development; learning musical skills; musical performance; composition and improvisation; the role of music in everyday life; and music therapy. In each part authors critically review the literature, highlight current issues and explore possibilities for the future. The final part examines how, in recent years, the study of music psychology has broadened to include a range of other disciplines. It considers the way that research has developed in relation to technological advances, and points the direction for further development in the field. With contributions from internationally recognised experts across 55 chapters, it is an essential resource for students and researchers in psychology and musicology.

Contributors to this volume are Philip Alperson, Francis Sparshott, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Edward T. Cone, Peter Kivy, Jenefer Robinson, Joseph Margolis, Arnold Berleant, Morris Grossman, Jerrold Levinson, Stephen Davies, Martin Donougho, Roger Scruton, and Rose Rosengard Subotnik.

Child prodigies have been observed in a range of disciplines - particularly music, mathematics, chess, and art. The question of what makes a prodigy has long been controversial. Some have dismissed the notion of giftedness, arguing that most famous prodigies had strong parental, cultural, and environmental influences that helped them develop their extraordinary abilities. One recent theory suggested that anyone could achieve outstanding success in whatever endeavour they wanted with a minimum of 10,000 hours of practice. Nevertheless, many studies of prodigies have suggested that there might be strong underlying cognitive differences, regarding their use of short-term versus long-term memory, spatial memory, imagery, and language. Whatever the arguments - for those interested in child development - prodigies remain a fascinating subject of study when considering questions about creativity, intelligence, development, and the impact of nature versus nurture. This books breaks new ground in presenting the first scientific exploration on the topic of musical prodigies. It brings together research from a range of disciplines, including psychology, neurobiology, and genetics, to provide a thorough exploration of prodigious talent. In addition, the book includes fascinating case studies of prodigies and also looks at their long-term development into adulthood - many child prodigies have had problems making the transition into adolescence and adulthood. Musical prodigies will be required reading for anyone interested in child development, music, and the arts

Expert writers present the major traditions of North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, together with personal accounts of performers, composers, teachers, and ceremonies. A special feature of this volume is the inclusion of dozens of brief snap-shot essays that offer "lifestories" of typical musicmakers and their art, as well as first-person descriptions of specific music performances and events. Also includes maps and music examples.