Department News
Are rhythmic preferences shared across cultures?
New research led by Dr Kelly Jakubowski suggests that preferences for synchrony in groove-based music may be universal, whereas preferences for isochrony are more culturally dependent.
How our brains instantly recognise music
The recent Wordle spinoff, Heardle, challenges players to identify popular songs from short music clips. Dr Kelly Jakubowski from Music explains the science behind why people love this new game.
Music Department in the All-Steinway School
The Music Department is proud to announce that we are now part of the largest All-Steinway School in the nation.
World première "Amérique du Sud" by Richard RIJNVOS
On 9 April 2022 the NTR ZaterdagMatinee will present the world première of Richard Rijnvos' "Amérique du Sud".
Sutton Trust Summer School Programme
We are pleased to announce that the Music Department is involved in the Sutton Trust summer schools scheme, which is designed to give bright students from under-represented backgrounds an experience of studying at a leading university.
Professor Peter Manning
It is with great sadness that the Music Department shares the news of the death of Emeritus Professor Peter Manning.
Is taste in musical fundamentals learned or innate?
New research from Durham University’s Music & Science Lab suggests that while biology may determine which sounds we perceive as unpleasant, musical preference is culturally acquired.
Music brings back positive lifetime memories: New research published
A new study by Dr Kelly Jakubowski and Professor Tuomas Eerola has shown that music evokes fewer, but more emotionally positive, autobiographical memories than other cues.
Rita Ueda Awarded the Azrieli Canadian Music Prize
Rita Ueda (PhD research student in composition) has been awarded the 2022 Azrieli Music Prize for Canadian Music with a portfolio that includes as the spring blossoms awaken through the snow for intercultural orchestra, supervised by Prof. Richard Rijnvos and Dr James Weeks.
World première "Afrique" by Richard RIJNVOS
(Durham - 3 November 2021)
On 13 November 2021 Slagwerk Den Haag and the Residentie Orchestra will perform the world première of Richard Rijnvos' Afrique.
World première "Riflesso sull’incontro" by Richard Rijnvos
On 6 November 2021 Ensemble Musikfabrik (Cologne) performed the world première of Richard Rijnvos' Riflesso sull’incontro.
Music for Galway - Midwinter Festival featuring the music of Stanford and his pupils
A festival dedicated to the choral and chamber music of Charles Villiers Stanford, his contemporaries and his pupils will take place in Galway from 21-23 January 2022. The festival will also feature two lectures by Professor Jeremy Dibble.