November 3, 2025 – Hendrix College’s Department of Music will present “Your Brain
on Art: Music and Well-Being,” an interdisciplinary concert experience inspired
by research on how the arts support health and human flourishing. The concert
will premiere Thursday, November 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Worsham Performance Hall on
the Hendrix campus and will be performed again on Sunday, November 9, at 5 p.m.
at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.
Students in the Hendrix Chamber Orchestra,
Choir, and Wind Ensemble have spent time exploring concepts from the book “Your
Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us” by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross,
reflecting on the role of music in emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.
Drawing from their study and creative collaboration, students have co-designed
a performance that brings the book’s core ideas to life through music.
The Crystal Bridges performance marks a
milestone for the Hendrix music program as the first time in at least a decade
that all three major student ensembles will present a combined off-campus
concert. The Hendrix Chamber Orchestra, Choir, and Wind Ensemble are led by Dr.
Alex Polyakov, Dr. Andrew Morgan, and Dr. Gretchen Renshaw, respectively.
“This project invites our students to
think deeply about why music matters, not only as artistic expression, but as
something that shapes human well-being,” said Renshaw. “They have embraced the
opportunity to explore the science and storytelling behind the arts and
translate those ideas into a powerful concert experience.”
The performance at Hendrix is free and
open to the public. Reservations are not required. Tickets for the Crystal
Bridges performance are $20 for non-members or $16 for members and are
available at crystalbridges.org.
About
Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is
featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You
Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts
colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career
preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors
compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the
United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of
Purpose