The Latest From Our Blog

Music of the Moment: July 27, 2010
posted by: Amy Russell, Director of Artistic Programs and Partnerships

We presented our final concert of the Summerfest series on July 17th and now is the time to plan for the coming season, as we await the return of our ... More »

Summertime at the Symphony
posted by: Jessica Nalbone, Education Manager

I’m often asked by friends and colleagues what life is like during the summer at the North Carolina Symphony’s Artistic Operations and Education Departments. After all, schools on the traditional ... More »

Our Final 2010 Summerfest Concert
posted by: William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor

Our 2010 Summerfest season ends at Regency Park this Saturday with a classical blockbuster of a program that I will conduct. The concert begins with music from Handel’s Music for ... More »

Pianos on the Street Corner
posted by: Arthur Ryel-Lindsey, Communications Project Manager

"People need to get more music in their lives," says New Yorker Aaron George. We couldn't agree more. Read about a fascinating public art installation by British artist Luke Jerram, ... More »

North Carolina Symphony Blog

The Care, Feeding and Eradication of Earworms

Posted: March 17, 2010 2:50 PM | Posted By : Jeannie Mellinger, Director of Communications

Maybe it’s the theme from “Rocky.” Maybe it’s Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Maybe, we hope not for your sake, it’s the Disney “Small World” tune. Regardless of any musical merit, we’ve all had the experience of a tune getting stuck in our heads—a phenomenon known as an “earworm.” Why does that happen and more importantly, HOW DO WE MAKE IT STOP?

Check out this New York Times piece on mental melodies for the answer:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/science/16qna.html?ref=science

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Jacobi Daley's Gravatar Do the musicians really hum the tune in order to eradicate earworm as prescribed in the NY Times article? It does not work for me. Comments from musicians please.
# Posted By Jacobi Daley | 3/30/10 10:42 AM