Bridging the Gap: The Untrained Artist vs. the Polished Musician

Last fall, the University of Southern California Thornton School Of Music announced its new bachelor of music in pop music performance degree program which will begin in the fall semester of 2009. This unique degree is the first of its kind in the United States and may very well take the competitive edge that embodies this music school to a whole new level. In a time where raw, untamed talent can rise to the top under the umbrella of competitions like American Idol, maybe this program will bridge that gap between the untrained artist and the polished musician. For instance, American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood were not too spectacular when they were competing on the Fox network show. But after just a few months of intense vocal training post-Idol, their vocal chops had completely transformed. They had become controlled, musically articulate, and their sense of pitch was fine-tuned. It seems as though they now have the tools to help them understand how their voices work.

In David Ng’s recent article, “USC Thornton School of Music announces expansion, new degrees,” I was inclined to offer my thoughts on this news as well as reference the relevance of a program such as this. Additionally, I found a post by blogger Stuart Heritage titled “ACM Entertainer Award Won By…A Woman? Mercy!” in which he describes how reality TV stars like those on American Idol are “infiltrating” the music world not by using their musical abilities, but through their television appeal. Below, I have included my comments to these articles as well as the links to their websites.


“USC Thornton School of Music announces expansion, new degrees”
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Thank you Mr. Ng for writing this article about USC’s Thornton School expansion and new music programs. An expansion of 50% must provide the Thornton community with much needed space for its musicians and faculty. Having spent time on the USC campus, the music school has always seemed relatively small despite the very competitive atmosphere it bolsters. I wonder if the new facilities will allow the school to foster new performance ensembles as well, given the news of the new pop music degree.

This fresh degree program seems like a very positive move by the Thornton School. So many young artists who have not yet grasped their raw talent or refined their skills have a unique opportunity now to really move forward and learn how their abilities work. I believe this can serve as a bridge for so many eager, driven musicians who may not have the groundwork as of now, but can build upon their talents in an academic setting. The public has seen artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, who may have not had the best vocal skills when they were on American Idol, but who have learned how to control their voices after the show and flourish because of professional training. USC’s new program can offer these pop musicians and vocalists a fantastic opportunity to refine their skills through intense training, much like the classical musicians in the school, and graduate with abilities that they did not have before.

“ACM Entertainer Award Won By…A Woman? Mercy!”
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I appreciate your animated take on this year’s ACM awards show. I would have to disagree with your assessment that Carrie Underwood’s win is something to cause worry within the industry. You comically note that she “a) never takes her clothes off, b) never eats delicious meat and c) never reveals any personal secrets about herself whatsoever.” You also infer that her American Idol win is something that is alarming in the fact that it was a reality TV show she competed on and because of that platform, her established stardom is making her “infiltrate” the ACM awards. I cannot say I am a fan of country music myself, however, Ms. Underwood has come a long way since her stint on the Fox network show.

What once sounded untamed and raw now sounds controlled, effortless, and oftentimes brilliant. As a classical musician, it is a breath of fresh air to see how intense musical training can transform an otherwise decent singer into a strong, graceful, and impressive vocalist. It is unfair to assume that her rise to fame from her past on television is the sole reason for a major win at the ACM awards show. I watched her performances at the event and it is hard to argue that there is anything else but talent that is keeping her on top. Even you yourself reference her lack of interest in confessing personal secrets, something that many young female singers indeed do for publicity. I look forward to seeing her progress even more in the coming years.

Endless Refills on This Prescription: A Courtship Between Music and Medicine?

Everyone seems to have those days or maybe even weeks where the stress overflows, getting a decent night of sleep is a luxury, and feeling moodier than usual is commonplace. As a student, there are several special moments in each semester where tests, papers, and marathon study sessions take their toll. It is these very matters that have driven me to pop in the earphones and listen to music much more than usual. Music helps alleviate some of the anxiety and has the ability to lift the spirit as well. In previous posts, I have kept an eye on where the music industry is heading and how musicians adapt to the times. It is my goal in this post to explore an area that many people take for granted – the power music has over us as a culture and its effects on us as individuals. Although music provides a consistent avenue of comfort for many, including myself, is this a form of therapy that can be incorporated into modern medicine while considering logistical and possible health coverage complexities?

As a musician, it is difficult to escape the reality that I enjoy music because it has a way of playing off on my moods and vice-versa. Attitude and temperament do play an important role in our lives and overall well-being, but enough of a role to explore how music and frame of mind can work together? Dr. Michael F. Roizen, chief wellness officer of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, explains “Listening to finer music and attending concerts on a consistent basis makes your real age about four years younger. Whether that’s due to stress relief or other properties, we see decreases in all-cause mortality, reflecting slower aging of arteries as well as cancer-related and environmental factors. Attending sports events like soccer or football offers none of these benefits.” While this new field of study lacks substantial evidence at this juncture, it is apparent that an exciting conversation has begun in the medical community. Vera Brandes, the director of the research program in music and medicine at the Paracelsus Private Medical University in Salzburg strongly believes in the power of music. Brandes identifies herself as the “first musical pharmacologist.” “In that capacity she is developing medication in the form of music, dispensed as a prescription” according to The New York Times. Upon a visit to your physician, a prescription of music may be given. Sounds a bit wild, but there have been studies that support the notion that music can really alter a person's physical well-being in a very positive way. This recent interest in the healing powers of music has helped drive a new website called Sourcetone.com, which aims to connect emotional well-being to selected music tracks according to current moods. It is in a beta-phase currently, but the content and focus of the website is evident.

In Finland, neuroscientists worked together with music therapists and found that stroke patients recovered substantially faster when listening to music after experiencing a stroke. “Our research shows for the first time that listening to music during this crucial period can enhance cognitive recovery and prevent negative mood,” says Teppo Sarkamo, a doctoral student at the University of Helsinki. “We found that three months after the stroke, verbal memory improved from the first week post-stroke by 60% in music listeners…" he explains. "Similarly, focused attention -- the ability to control and perform mental operations and resolve conflicts among responses -- improved by 17% in music listeners, but no improvement was observed in audio-book listeners and non-listeners.” Statistics at this level really do amplify the thought that music should integrate with medicine, but it is difficult to forget about the other intricacies that come with medicine – such as health coverage, insurance, referrals to specialists, and so on.

Vera Brandes' new program is intriguing, but there is little mention of how music prescriptions will be given out and if this kind of therapy will be covered by insurance companies. As a new venture, it is important to think about the possible conflicts down the road, especially if evidence does lean substantially in favor of a fusion between medicine and music. Another fascinating facet to this issue is that if doctors and researchers are taking this seriously and throwing money behind studies, can this be a unique market for musicians to offer a helping hand while making a living as well? Live music seems to be a favorite among avid music fans because it brings fans one big step closer to those positive feelings they get while listening to headphones at home. If scientists are looking to really explore the effects of music, why not enlist vocalists or musicians to perform regularly for patients? Much like children’s hospitals around the country that support learning, laughter, and growth in the hospital, let us think about the possibility of bringing live music to the bed-side. Celebrities and musicians have travelled abroad for tours among the military bases and hospitals to raise morale, so this is not such an extreme idea.

Obviously, it would be a logistical nightmare to have someone belting out Celine Dion in ICU, so the live music therapy would need to happen when a patient is much more stable and progressing steadily already. Thinking beyond the hospital setting, when someone has sung to me, even karaoke surprisingly, it makes me feel embarrassed but it feels great when someone does it nonetheless. Even when people sing someone Happy Birthday, it elicits a genuinely warm response. As for the data and support that is still needed in this field, it is obvious that more time is needed before there is a definite reason to blend music in with the medical field. However, it does seem thus far that music certainly does affect people’s moods, which can also affect a person’s recovery and general well-being. The day-to-day occurrences that we take for granted, such as silly moments when a loved one sings for another or when a friend embarrasses someone by singing karaoke to them in front of a crowd – it is these moments that we need to learn from and find the possibility of honing-in on this positive power. It is hard to argue that people do not feel special or find enjoyment when someone makes the effort to raise your spirits, especially when you are ill.