Fine Arts and Music Collected Works - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableThe Heart (Video Documentation)(IEEE VISAP, 2023)
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ItemJohn Williams: Expanding the Classical Guitar Repertoire(Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, 2021-10-01)Forging new directions in classical guitar, John Williams is a foremost figure in art music making in Australia. While Williams is known around the globe for his mastery of technique, his particular significance lies in his development of the cultural scope of the classical guitar beyond the European tradition through his diverse range of repertoire. This paper will argue that John Williams played an active role in expanding the classical guitar repertoire through his advocacy for Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe and Latin American composer Augustin Barrios. The analysis of primary sources including concert reviews, CD reviews, interviews, and various secondary sources will reveal that Williams’ elevation of these composers is two-fold. Firstly, he embedded the works of Sculthorpe and Barrios into his concert repertoire and secondly, he released albums dedicated to each composer that reached a world-wide audience. Ultimately, this research is significant as it unveils Williams’ pioneering role in expanding the cultural landscape of the classical guitar repertoire.
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ItemThe influence of vocal performance on singing self-concept(ISPS, 2021-10-27)Background A growing body of research demonstrates that musical engagement is associated with wide range of well-being benefits. Additionally, research into musical identities indicates that musical self-concept plays a role in the extent to which we engage in musical activities. Therefore, when considering how to widen musical participation for well-being benefit, it is important to consider the role of individual identities which include some component of music. Musical self-concept, is, however, socially constructed; and little consideration has been given to defining the broader socio-cultural factors at play in the formation of musical self-concepts. Aims The present experiment was designed to better understand socio-cultural factors which are hypothesized as potentially influencing singing self-concept. In particular, drawing on social comparison theory, the experiment considered the potential influence of the exposure to different types of vocal performances on singing self-concept. Social comparison theory states that people evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to other people. The present study asked, “Does exposure to examples of certain types of singing influence participants’ own singing self-concept” and “If so, what is the nature of this influence and is a particular influence correlated with a particular example of singing”. Method Australian residents were invited to complete an online experiment. After providing demographic information and answering a series of questions to establish a baseline for each participant in relation to music and identity, participants heard a one-minute recorded example of “Happy Birthday”. Participants were randomly allocated into one of four conditions, such that they heard either: 1. Male and female trained singers performing in the style of “The Voice” reality television series 2. Male and female trained singers performing a “plain” version 3. Male and female untrained singers performing “as they would normally sing the song” 4. A control version (unaccompanied piano) After listening to the audio clip, participants responded to a series of items concerning the singing technique, level of difficulty, and perceived similarities/differences between the performer and the participant. Lastly, participants were asked to reflect on their own singing ability. Results Data collection is currently underway. Preliminary analyses (N = 145) indicate that people judged the quality of the performances differently, such that the quality was rated highest for the traditional professional performance and lowest for the amateur performance. People in the traditional and amateur singing conditions reported higher confidence in being able to sing along with the performers than those in the “The Voice” condition. Interestingly, however, people’s direct ratings for being able to sing well/having no singing talent were not affected by the audio condition, such that it is possible that previous music experience might moderate the relationship. Supplementary analyses will draw on additional data concerning how musical self-concept relates to well-being. Conclusions The present study extends research into the socio-cultural construction of musical self-concept. Findings have theoretical implications for considering how musical self-concept development may influence adult participation in music activities and, thus, individual well-being. In addition, the findings have practical implications for how music educators develop supportive and engaging music-making opportunities.
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ItemIndividual Differences in the Experience of Musically-Evoked Chills(AMPS, 2022-09-28)Recent research into individual differences and music listening has unveiled associations between personality traits and music preferences. However, the link between individual differences, including personality traits and cognitive styles, and musically-evoked chills (MECs) is yet to be established. This study therefore investigates the relationship between individual differences and the experience of MECs in music listening. A literature review on current research investigating personality traits, cognitive styles, and MECs was conducted. In tandem, a review of key music apps and algorithms that are employed to suggest personalised music on streaming platforms such as Spotify was undertaken. The findings of the literature review reveal positive associations between openness to experience, empathy, the music-empathising cognitive style, and MECs. This presentation will also provide an overview and discussion of current algorithms and music apps. Based on the key findings of this study, a theoretical model is proposed that speculates the interplay between individual differences and MECs. Future research is encouraged into real-world applications such as improved algorithms for creating personalised playlists to target the pleasurable chill response and subsequent dopamine hit. By improving algorithms to account for differing personality traits and cognitive styles, music listening’s potential to positively impact subjective wellbeing may be enhanced.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableMusic Listening to Cultivate Self-compassion Among Young People(AMPS, 2022)Music listening exerts a powerful effect on human emotion. However, self-compassion, a strong predictor of mental health, has received little attention in existing music listening literature. Therefore, this study aims to advance the existing literature by investigating music listening and its role in cultivating self-compassion. The benefits of self-compassion include improved mental health and a reduction in psychological parameters such as anxiety, stress, and depression. In the wake of the COVID- 19 pandemic, many people have experienced increased mental health concerns, feelings of isolation, and depression, with research indicating that young people are using music as a coping mechanism during this time. While accounting for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores individual music listening practices to foster self-compassion. We asked 155 university students residing in Australia aged between 18 - 33 years (M = 19.84, SD = 3.01) to complete an online questionnaire measuring self-compassion and music listening. The quantitative analysis is currently underway. The findings will broaden our understanding of how music listening can cultivate self- compassion and advance the existing literature on music listening's ability to change moods and regulate emotions.
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ItemCultivating Self-Compassion Through Music Listening(Sempre, 2022)Music listening exerts a powerful effect on human emotion. However, self-compassion, a strong predictor of mental health, has received little attention in existing music listening literature. As such, this study seeks to advance the current literature by investigating music listening and its role in cultivating self-compassion with a primary focus on its three key aspects: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, as well as its opposite elements: self-judgement, isolation, and overidentification. As a result of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced increased mental health concerns, feelings of isolation, and depression, with research indicating that young adults are using music as a coping mechanism during the pandemic. A total of 153 university students residing in Australia aged 18-33 years (M = 19.84, SD = 3.01) completed a mixed-methods questionnaire measuring self-compassion, music listening preferences, and well-being. Preliminary results indicate that 81% of the sample experienced self-compassion while listening to music during the Covid-19 pandemic, while 32% experienced it's opposite. A thematic analysis of the open-ended responses regarding individual experiences of self-compassion as a result of listening to music is currently underway. The findings aim to enrich existing literature on music and emotions, build on previous studies demonstrating self-compassion's ability to improve mental health and broaden understanding of the pandemic's impact.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableReprezentasaun arte fatuk iha kostume kulturál ema Fataluku iha Tutuala, Lautem (Representation of rock art in cultural elements of the Fataluku people of Tutuala, Lautem)(Swinburne Press, 2018-05-16)The Tutuala region in far eastern Timor-Leste is one of the richest regions of rock art in island South East Asia. More than 30 sites of rock art on cave walls include hundreds of painted images, estimated to be at least 2000-3000 years old. Traditional life is strong in this isolated region of the small island nation of Timor- Leste. Villagers enjoy cultural practices that have spanned generations, connecting the Fataluku people to their ancestors and stories of creation. Findings of this small research project indicate that cultural elements reflecting motifs of the rock art are still in regular use. Tais, traditional weavings used for ceremonial and practical functions, include the largest number of motifs. Images of the cloud, eagle mouth, horse, three boats and poria leaves regularly appear in tais woven in the area. Stories shared by elders connect the rock art with the images in the tais, as well as sacred objects and items not able to be depicted. A song in the vaihoho style, of unaccompanied call and response, is still sung about the rock art, although this is sacred (lulik) and is unable to be documented for public information. Villagers alsoknow a voton, an ancient singing prayer, in which sailors call for safe passage. While they report that this song does not relate directly to the rock art, its themes connect contemporary villagers with ancestors who came from over the sea and depicted their journeys in drawings in the caves.
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ItemTaka lakuna jerasaun iha Timor-Leste: Oinsá mak programa kriativu bele kontribui. (Connecting between generations in Timor-Leste: how creative programs might contribute).(Swinburne Press, 2018)Povu Timor-Leste hasoru dezafiu polítiku, ekonómiku, sosiál no kulturál durante tinan atus ba atus, maibé liu-liu durante dékada tolu okupasaun Indonesia ne'ebé violentu, no transformasaun ikus ne'e ba nasaun independente. Timor-oan nia jerasaun foun sai boot iha tempu ne'ebé diferente loos husi sira-nia inan-aman no avó. Sira boot iha demokrasia ho sirkunstánsia di'ak liu no bainhira iha mudansa boot ho ligasaun ba mundu li'ur. Iha potensiál boot atu kompriende-sala no hetan dezligasaun entre ema husi esperiénsia moris diferente, no iha posibilidade atu fratura relasaun sosiál no sosiedade jerál. Artigu ida-ne'e hato'o revee literatura kona-ba programa ne'ebé dezenvolve atu hadi'ak komunikasaun no kompriensaun entre ema husi jerasaun diferente. Artigu ne'e mós introdús pratika entre-jerasaun no dokumenta programa entre-jerasaun ne'ebé hala'o iha Timor-Leste nia li'ur, hamutuk mós ho rezultadu ne'ebé programa sira-ne'e kontribui no prosesu saida mak kauza mudansa ne'e. Autór tau foku partikulár ba programa ne'ebé uza arte partisipativu no kriatividade atu aumenta ligasaun pozitivu entre juventude no sira-nia avó. Posibilidade ne'ebé programa hanesan ne'e oferese povu Timor-Leste bainhira iha transformasaun sosiál no kulturál lalais mak ezamina. Posibilidade sira-ne'e inklui konsiderasaun ba oinsá mak programa sira-ne'e bele kria abordagem iguál no inklusivu, oinsá mak sira bele haforsa ligasaun família no komunidade, no oinsá mak bele suporta transferénsia koñesimentu no aprendizajen foun.
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ItemEfficacy of Parkinsong Groups for improving Communication and Wellbeing in Parkinson's Disease(World Federation of Music Therapy, 2017)Communication impairment is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, significantly impacting quality of life (Miller, 2012). Speech characteristics may include a soft, monotone, breathy or hoarse voice quality, imprecise articulation, dysprosody and dysfluency (Skodda et al., 2013). These characteristics, combined with reduced nonverbal communication, cognitive-linguistic impairment and poor self-perception of speech, make communication difficult and lead to self-consciousness, reduced likelihood to participate in conversation, and the avoidance of social interaction that requires speaking. Communication difficulties can compound issues of depression and related social isolation (Miller et al., 2006).