Music researcher Tracy Cowden kicks off UTSA’s 50th Anniversary Scholars Speaker Series

Cowden’s research focuses on how music positively affects our physical and mental health.

(Jan. 23, 2019) -- To celebrate 50 years as San Antonio’s urban serving university and to thank San Antonio for its support and commitment to higher education, UTSA is presenting a 50th Anniversary Scholars Speaker Series in 2019 featuring experts on a broad range of contemporary issues that impact society. All presentations in the Scholars Speaker Series will be free and open to the public.

The yearlong series will begin with Music as Medicine: The Power and Influence of Music on our Health, presented by Tracy Cowden, D.M.A., Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor in Music and chair of the UTSA Department of Music. Cowden’s research focuses on how music positively affects our physical and mental health in numerous ways, from enhancing emotional wellbeing to reducing the need for pain medication. At her presentation, she will share the latest research linking music to our health, bringing it to life with a demonstration of the power of music through live performance.

“While music has been used for centuries to comfort, uplift and energize us, through interdisciplinary research we are now learning the specific and awe-inspiring ways that the brain and body change in response to music,” said Cowden.

>> Learn more about this Scholars Speaker Series.

Cowden’s professional life centers around making music with others, whether in duos, chamber music or orchestral settings. Her work as a collaborative pianist includes a wide range of music and partners, from the music of Jane Austen’s songbook with soprano Julianne Baird, to klezmer-influenced music with clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein and cellist Nick Cannelakis, to American fiddle music with violinist Mark O’Connor.

Active as a clinician and lecturer, the UTSA faculty member has presented master classes and workshops on topics related to collaborative music-making and creative programming across the country. She has also been a presenter or performer at conferences including the National Opera Association, Music Teachers National Association, College Music Society, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, International Trumpet Guild, International Tuba Euphonium Conference, and the National Flute Association.

Cowden is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and currently serves as chair designate to the MTNA National Certification Commission as well as a visiting evaluator for the professional accrediting organization, the National Association of Schools of Music.

A Michigan native, she received her D.M.A. and M.M. degrees in piano accompanying and chamber music from the Eastman School of Music, and a B.M. degree in piano performance from Western Michigan University.

Music as Medicine: The Power and Influence of Music on our Health is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Radius Center, 411 E. Martin St., San Antonio, Texas 78205. Doors will open and a cash bar will be available starting at 6 p.m. A meet the speaker session will follow the presentation at 7:15 p.m.

This presentation is made possible by the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts.

— Ingrid Wright

View the yearlong calendar for UTSA’s 50th Anniversary Scholar Speaker Series.

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Learn more about the Department of Music in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts.

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