ROCO concludes its Connections Series and its 21st season with Sense of Mind—a bold exploration of how music and the brain intertwine. Presented at ARTECHOUSE Houston and at MD Anderson Cancer Center, this groundbreaking collaboration with Music-in-Medicine at UT MD Anderson looks at how the brain processes an immersive performance in real time, visualized through live brain-computer interface (BCI) mapping conducted by Dr. Mei Rui, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of Music-in-Medicine.

SUPPORT Music-in-Medicine at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

The innovative concert-experiment features real-time EEG data measuring the neural activity from select audience members using state-of-the-art neurotechnology provided by Dr. Rui’s research lab. Audience members will be treated to enveloping, data-informed visuals designed by multimedia artist Badie Khaleghian and projected throughout the space, highlighting the powerful impact of an immersive performance in a multisensory environment.

The concert features pianist Dr. Mei Rui, with Alecia Lawyer, oboe; Nathan Williams, clarinet; Amanda Swain, bassoon; and Bernhard Scully, horn, in a newly commissioned piece by Anthony Brandt alongside Ludwig van Beethoven’s Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds—exploring how novelty and familiarity might impact the brain during a live performance.

Anthony Brandt’s new work is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

This concert will also be performed on Saturday, May 2, at 5:30 pm at ARTECHOUSE Houston.

Thanks to Texas Monthly, Proud Media Sponsor of our Season 21 Connections Series.

Piano Sponsored by Steinway Piano Gallery

Location

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center - Mays Clinic, West Lobby
1220 Holcombe Blvd
Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Program

Mei Rui, piano
Alecia Lawyer, oboe
Nathan Williams, clarinet
Amanda Swain, bassoon
Bernhard Scully, horn

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23, I. Allegro assai

Ludwig van Beethoven: Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds, Op. 16

Anthony Brandt: Coloring Outside the Lines
ROCO World Premiere