Neuroscience major assesses effects of melodic changes on the brain

Emma Barnard ’25, a neuroscience major at The College of Wooster, combined her passion for the subject with her lifelong love of music by focusing her Independent Study project on measuring how the brain reacts to unexpected changes in complex musical phrases, including melodies. Barnard, who plays the French horn in the Scot Band at Wooster, then compared how musicians responded to these changes compared to non-musicians.

“I’ve always loved music. Music is everywhere, whether you’re creating it or just hearing it in a grocery store. I wanted to explore how our brains respond to music in a way that’s measurable.”
—Emma Barnard ’25

MY I.S.

Barnard: Using Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing, I measured how musicians and non-musicians react differently when a musical phrase doesn’t follow the expected pattern. The idea is that musicians, due to their training, have more refined expectations. As a result, their brains respond more strongly when those expectations are violated.

EXCITING ASPECTS

Barnard: Music has been a very large part of my life. My project allowed me to demonstrate why music is so important and how it can be studied scientifically. It’s important to understand music because it is all around us. We can even use it in therapy and to educate children.

EMPOWERED IN MY FIELD

Barnard: Focusing on a specific project helped me apply everything I have learned at Wooster, as I had to run EEGs, analyze data, and write a literature review. Everything I learned came together. I.S. pushed me beyond what I had done in class and gave me confidence to tackle real research.

SUPPORTIVE SCOT COMMUNITY

Barnard: My advisor, Dr. Herzmann, was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout this whole process. She even wants to continue on with the research, which is awesome. I would also like to thank all of my friends and participants for helping make this a reality!

MY TAKEAWAYS

Barnard: Musicians and non-musicians process sound in similar ways, but musicians show stronger neurological responses to unexpected changes. Also, what’s really interesting about this finding is that it contradicts many other research papers we had found previously. There’s still so much to explore in music and the brain.

WHAT’S NEXT

Barnard: I want to keep doing neuroimaging research, especially cognitive neuroimaging. I will attend University College London to earn a master’s degree in mind and brain sciences.

Posted in Independent Study on May 14, 2025.