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28 October 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath


Lunchtime learning webinar series on Interdisciplinarity in Action

Mastering a musical instrument, such as the piano, requires the simultaneous integration of a multimodal, sensory system and motor information with multimodal, sensory feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the performance. Performing intricate movements requires complex, sensory-motor programming of finger and hand movements, which can result in a reorganisation of the brain regarding functional and structural changes of existing and the establishment of new connections. Neuronal networks involved in music processing are adaptable and fast-changing. When motor skills are simplified to the most important action, it consists of nerve impulses sent to the muscles.

In this webinar, Dr Frelét de Villiers discusses the interdisciplinarity between the two fields of music and neuroscience. Promising preliminary data has been reported for applications of transcranial direct stimulation (tDCS) of the motor cortex, ranging from stroke rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement. These findings raise the alternative possibility that the fine motor control of pianists may be improved by stimulating the contralateral motor cortex. 

In our interdisciplinary study, we want to use the Halo Sport neurostimulation system (a physical training aid). This is a tDCS device, designed to optimise the efficiency of training sessions and accelerate gains in any physical skill, especially when the neurostimulation is complemented by focused repetitive training. The main questions of the study are the following: do pianists experience a noticeable difference in mastering repertoire with and without the HALO Sport device, and can functional and structural changes in the brain be observed after using the Halo Sport consistently over six months? Data collection will consist of EEG tests, fMRI scans, interviews, and analysis of performances by an expert panel. The value of the research is the possibility that practising with the HALO may improve the performance of the students and that changes in the brain may be observed. Interdisciplinary engagement is essential to conduct this research. If it is possible to establish that there are functional and structural changes in the brain and improvement in the performance of the pianists, the research can be extended to other disciplines with hopefully the same positive results.

This webinar is part of a series of three webinars on Interdisciplinarity that will be presented from November to December 2020 via Microsoft Teams for a duration of 45 minutes each. The webinar topics in the series will explore the intersection between Neuroscience and Music, between Science and Entrepreneurship, and between Science and Visual Arts.  

Date: Thursday 5 November 2020
Topic: The intersection between neuroscience and music 
Time: 13:00-13:45
RSVP: Alicia Pienaar, pienaaran1@ufs.ac.za by 4 November 2020 at 12:00
Platform: Microsoft Teams

Introduction and welcome
Prof Corli Witthuhn – Vice-Rector: Research at the University of the Free State 

Presenter
Dr Frelét de Villiers

Dr de Villiers is a Senior Lecturer at the Odeion School of Music. She is head of the Methodology modules, short learning programmes, lectures in piano, music pedagogy, arts management, and is a supervisor for postgraduate students. She is a member of the Faculty of the Humanities Research Committee, Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, Scientific Committee (Arts), and the Ethics Committee (the Humanities). Her field of expertise is piano technique, with particular emphasis on the influence of the brain and the whole-brain approach to music. Her passion is the use of technology in the music teaching situation – she developed a note-learning app, PianoBoost (available on Google Play).

News Archive

2015/2016 SRC candidates announced
2015-08-19


Ledimo Nthejane, Independent Electoral Commission Provincial Manager, announcing the contenders for SRC elections at the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Congratulations to the successful 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominees. We wish you all the best with your campaigning.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been appointed by the UFS to take responsibility for the operational aspects of the upcoming SRC elections on the Bloemfontein campus.  Their involvement spans over the period from the nomination process up to the announcement of the election results on 3 September 2015.

Bloemfontein Campus:

  • Edward de Wet (President)
  • Lindokuhle Ntuli (President)
  • Mpho Khati (Vice-President)
  • Nigel Marchall Masalla (Vice-President)
  • Nicola King (First-generation students)
  • Brand Louw (First-generation students)
  • Dineo Khotso Mashile (Transformation)
  • Katleho Mmolayeng Letube (Transformation)
  • Jeanne-Mari McDonald (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Lesley-Anne Terblanche (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Luke Harrold Small (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Nomathamsanqa Nomvula Kraai (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Victor Sejane (Student Accessibility)
  • Sam-Maree Rooi (Student Accessibility)
  • Rememberance Rohula Kgabu (Student Accessibility)
  • Delia Moumakwe (Culture)
  • Mohau Moses Lesebo (Culture)
  • Kabelo Elijah Noosi (Sport)
  • Neo Gift Thebe (Sport)
  • Peo Morwesi Segano (Media and Marketing)
  • Gali Moticoe (Media and Marketing)
  • Mafelleng Itumeleng Matla (Student Development and Environment)
  • Karabo Pheko (Student Development and Environment)
  • Shaun Grobler (Treasurer)
  • Cornel Vermaak (Treasurer)
  • Katleho Masheane (Treasurer)
  • Thulani Babeli (Treasurer)
  • Nothando Hlophe (Secretary)
  • Tsietso Mafaso (Secretary)
  • Mihlali Matanzima (Secretary)

Qwaqwa Campus:

  • Tseko Masoeu (President)
  • Ntokozo Mbele (President)
  • Paseka Sikhosane (President)
  • Ntandoyenkosi Mndebele (President)
  • Zethu Mhlongo (Deputy President)
  • Limpho Mape (Deputy President)
  • Mpho Pooe (Deputy President)
  • Langelihle Mzobe (Deputy President)
  • Bannetse Mokhatla (Secretary General)
  • Londiwe Shezi (Secretary General)
  • Nondumiso Langa (Secretary General)
  • Palesa Selepe (Treasurer General)
  • Sabelo Vilakazi (Treasurer General)
  • Sinenhlanhla Mfeka (Treasurer General)
  • Solomuzi Khathi (Treasurer General)
  • Busisiwe Nkosi (Politics and Transformation)
  • Banele Mndwaweni (Politics and Transformation)
  • Nthabiseng Mokoena (Politics and Transformation)
  • Sibusiso Nyambose (Media and Publicity)
  • Nonkululeko Shabalala (Media and Publicity)
  • Khulani Mhlongo (Media and Publicity)
  • Bongiwe Buthelezi (Media and Publicity)
  • Nhlanhla Shabalala (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
  • Thulane Dubazane (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
  • Lindokuhle Ngubane (Student Development & Environmental Affairs)

Nominations for the Secretary and Treasurer portfolios are still open until 12:00 noon on Friday 21 August 2015.

Important dates to note:

18 August 2015 - Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus campaigning commences

27 August 2015 - Qwaqwa campaigning ends

30 August 2015 - Bloemfontein campaigning ends

28 August 2015 - Qwaqwa Election Day

31 August 2015 - Bloemfontein Election Day

1 September 2015 - Qwaqwa SR handover and establishment sitting

4 September 2015 - Bloemfontein SRC handover and establishment sitting

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