N.C. State offers advanced degrees in STEM fields, but according to Jeff Braden, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, it is the only University in the UNC-System that doesn’t offer a degree in music.
Though some educators argue that music helps students better understand concepts seen in the STEM fields, according to Stephen Reynolds, an N.C. State professor of physics and a violinist who has played in several orchestrasm, the benefits of music come in different and broad disciplines, such as learning to recognize patterns, rather than the direct correlations many hope to find.
“There’s a tendency to want to draw parallels, but there’s really not a profound, deep connection,” Reynolds said. “There’s no doubt that people who think quantitatively are drawn to music, but a lot of people bend themselves out of shape trying to find parallels.”
Reynolds, who said he grew up in a household that emphasized music, said he began playing the violin at a young age after scoring well on pitch-determination test in grade school. When he was in fifth grade, Reynolds said his teacher played a Leonard Bernstein concert, which sparked his interest in music. He said he began listening to music every day for one to two hours until the violin became interesting to play.
By the time he arrived at a university, Reynolds said he had had a lot of contact with music, and it wasn’t until college began that he discovered his interest in physics. Reynolds said he financed his graduate education partially by playing music.
Reynolds said he didn’t see a deep connection between music and advanced capabilities in the STEM fields.
“You’re not going to turn your kid into a genius by playing Mozart while it’s in the womb,” Reynolds said. “You’re not going to be better in calculus because you took a music course.”
Reynolds said the University has lost a significant number of physics majors because of N.C. State’s lack of a music degree.
Jeff Braden, the Dean of CHASS, said music is important because it presents a different way of understanding and presenting the world.
“Music is unique because it’s one of the few things than can jump past cultural and intellectual screens,” Braden said. “I can hear music from many cultures, and I can understand it much more than I can understand a different language.”
Braden said that from a psychological standpoint, there is not significant evidence to support the idea that music makes one more apt to understanding math and science concepts.
“I think it has the power to enrich and expand,” Braden said. “It’s a way of experiencing things in a way that is extremely accessible.”
Braden said that foreign languages can be compared to music in the sense that both are used as utilities for instrumental aspects.
“Using music solely to make math more interesting, that to me is unfortunate way to use music,” Braden said.
Braden said he it’s unusual for a university like N.C. State to not have music and performing arts degrees in a college that awards academic degrees.
According to Braden, N.C. State did not award degrees in English, history and foreign languages until 50 years ago, when legislation was passed that allowed the University to grant these degrees. Because music was not a part of CHASS, it was not able to move with the college and cannot award degrees now.
Braden said a proposal was previously made to add a music degree, but with financial issues in 2008, they were unable to add it to the programs. Even so, he said he recommended the degree be added several times.
Braden said he and Louis Martin-Vega, dean of College of Engineering, definitely believe the University’s lack of formal music, theatre or dance programs is a deterrent for many students who are interested in pursuing engineering, but also show interest in these areas.
