Mozart and Finals

The most dreaded week of the school year is upon us, much quicker than expected: finals week. And well some students might feel confident going into it, most of us are pulling our hair out, trying to figure out how we can compensate for the lack of work we did all semester. Thank you, Roger Hub, for that Final Grade Calculator. Music has always been a satisfying de-stresser and in times like this, we could all use a little less stress in our lives. Although students are allowed to listen to what they want while they study (the sound of rain, jazz, screamo, silence perhaps), there have been studies that listening to classical music while doing school work is immensely beneficial for their grades and their mental well being. Beethoven is great, don’t get me wrong, but research has shown that it is Mozart that contributes the most to the brain.  It can give one short term improvement on performance in tests, cognitive skills, and have a beneficial impact on one’s mental health.

Named The Mozart Effect, this hypothesis was first introduced into the world in 1991 by a French researcher Alfred A. Tomatis in his book Pourquoi Mozart? (Why Mozart?): He claimed listening to Mozart’s music can raise one’s intelligence quotient (IQ) as well as “increase verbal, emotional, and spatial intelligence, improve concentration and memory, enhance right-brain creative processes and strengthen intuitive thinking skills”.  This seems very odd, however it does make sense. Symmetries and pattern characteristics of music are fundamentally connected to the symmetries and patterns researchers are tracking in brain waves. Music consciousness and spatial cognitive skills and long term sequencing operations are all worked out on the right side of the brain. So, while you are cramming facts in your brain in preparation for finals, take a breather. Remember to relax, study but stay calm and treat yourself to the beauty (and benefits) of Mozart’s music.

Side Note: We created two playlists for you. One of them is our favorite classical music (heavy on the Mozart of course). If that doesn’t quite do it for you, then check out our de-stressing playlist for some mellow tunes.

Favorite Classical Playlist: Requiem: Lacrimosa- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Apres Une Reve- Gabriel Faure, The Nutcracker - Ballet, Op.71, No.12- Arabian- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Piano Sonata No. 12 in F, K.322: 2. Adagio- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Symphony No. 83 in G Minor, ‘La Poule’: III. Minuetto (Allegretto) & Trio- Franz Joseph Haydn, Sonata in F Minor, K.466 (L. 118)- Domenico Scarlatti, The Moldau (From Ma Vlast)- Bedrich Smetana, Due pupille amabili, K. 439- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata K331 First Movement, Impromptu No.4 in C sharp minor, Op. 66- Chopin

De-stressing playlist: Cherry Wine- Hozier, Emerald and Stone- Brian Eno, Time Wind Down- Brian Berger, Northern Lights- Lights & Motion, All Will Be Well- The Gabe Dixon Band, Telescope- Mandy Smith, Drive- Oh Wonder, Caving- Seavera, In Dreams- Ben Howard, Untitled- Matt Corby

Upcoming Concerts:

Ellie Goulding- Allstate Arena- Chicago, IL- 12/14/2016-9:00pm

Twin Peaks- Thalia Hall- Chicago, IL- 12/18/2016- 8:00pm

Snoop Dogg- Riverside Theatre- Milwaukee, WI- 12/22/2016- 8:00pm

Audacity- The Metal Grill- Cudahy, WI- 12/30/2016- 5:00pm

Flume- Donald E. Stephens Convention Center- Rosemont, IL- 12/30/2016- 7:00pm

Diane Coffee- Schubas- Chicago, IL- 12/31/2016- 7:00pm

Ezra Furman- Lincoln Hall- Chicago, IL- 1/12/2016- 9:00pm