Lydo 2024

Aim

This project investigates the interplay of physiological rhythms (e.g., body motion and cardiac and breathing rhythms) within and between musicians and audience members, feelings of integration among orchestra players, and experiences of musical absorption among audience members. This highly interdisciplinary project integrates theories and methods from several disciplines, including musicology, human physiology, music performance science, phenomenology, cognitive sciences, psychology, music theory, music technology, and data science.

Research questions

• How do motion and physiological rhythms between musicians and audiences relate?
• How integrated do musicians feel within their section and the orchestra while playing?
• How do audience members experience being absorbed in the music, and what contextual factors might modulate this?  

Methods

This project uses a mixed-methods approach with both qualitative and quantitative data collection. Most musicians wear sensor vests that track respiration, heart rate, and body motion. Two musicians have fNIRS caps on, which measure brain activity continuously. Audience motion is captured using an infrared camera system; they also answer questions in a survey. Some audience members also wear sensor vests, and a select group of musicians and audiences are interviewed.

Team

Partners

LYDO is developed by Stavanger Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with Equinor's talent development programme, Morgendagens Helter. The aim is to stimulate interest in the sciences through music and is targeted at children in grades 5-10 in elementary school.

Funding

This project is partially funded by the European Union¡¯s Horizon research 
and innovation program under the Marie Sk?odowska-Curie grant agreement No. 101108755.