Daniel Levitin (pictured) will deliver the keynote address at the 123rd Audio Engineering Society Convention on October 5, 2007 in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center. Levitin is a best-selling author; head of the McGill University Laboratory for Music Perception, Cognition and Expertise; musician; producer; and former stand-up comedian.
Levitin’s book, This Is Your Brain On Music (Dutton), is a New York Times best-seller and will serve as a jumping off point for his address. Levitin will explore a number of recent findings about how music affects the human brain in terms of its neurochemistry and moods. Levitin will also discuss the previously inexplicable phenomenon in which human beings are able to identify the title and artist of certain songs by hearing a single, fleeting chord.
“Delving into the reasons that music resonates so deeply with so many raises issues not often considered by audio industry pros, much less average music consumers,” says AES convention committee chair Jim Anderson. “We all know it happens, but it’s difficult to explain. This keynote address will provide our attendees with food for thought about the underlying purpose and long-term impact of their role in contemporary culture. Professor Levitin’s off-beat perceptions may also spark spirited debate about neural processing and the science behind music’s undisputed emotional power.”
An AES member since 1985, Levitin has presented research papers and participated at a number of the organization’s panels and events. The soft-cover edition of his book is expected to be released by Penguin in late September.
For more information, visit www.aes.org and www.psych.mcgill.ca/levitin.
