Why does the Interstellar score give you chills? Why do people cry at Coldplay concerts? Why are some songs perfect for a workout playlist while others belong in a late-night cry session? And what actually happens in your brain—and your vocal cords—when you try to belt those songs in the shower or in front of friends? In this course, students will explore these questions and more through the combined lenses of math, neuroscience, music theory, and singing. We’ll learn the main techniques songwriters and composers use to create tension, grief, joy, and excitement in their work—and then embody those techniques with our own voices. Along the way, you’ll: - Practice singing exercises that connect directly to music theory (intervals, modes, chord progressions, rhythm), so you can hear and feel the structure of music in real time. - Explore mixed voice, resonance, and breath support, with a strong emphasis on vocal health—how to sing louder, higher, and longer without straining or damaging your voice. - Analyze how your brain processes melody, harmony, and lyrics—and why certain sounds make you want to cry, sprint, or hit “repeat.” - Deconstruct songs from theater, orchestras, pop stars, and movies, then experiment with singing and lightly arranging these pieces in class. You’ll not only identify the tricks behind iconic musical moments—you’ll also try your hand at performing and even writing them. Expect low-pressure group singing, playful vocal warm-ups, nerdy deep dives into why that key change hits so hard, and creative experiments that feel a bit like musical puzzles. Whether you love music, the brain, or math, this course will open your eyes to the intricacies of the sounds many of us take for granted everyday, and hopefully make you a better listener and composer!

Why does the Interstellar score give you chills? Why do people cry at Coldplay concerts? Why are some songs meant for a workout playlist and others aren't? In this course, students will explore these questions and more through the combined lenses of math, neuroscience and music theory. We'll learn the main techniques songwriters and composers use to create tension, grief, joy and excitement in their work - and try our hand at identifying (and writing!) these techniques in widely known songs from theater, orchestras, pop stars and movies. Whether you love music, the brain, or math - this course will open your eyes to the intricacies of the sounds many of us take for granted everyday, and hopefully make you a better listener and composer!