The Making History Tour: New York Stop (New York alumni branch) - SOLD OUT

Principal Heather Munroe-Blum will share with alumni and friends the bold vision for McGill’s future, as we build on our strengths and continue our proud tradition of making history in virtually all fields of human endeavour.

In addition, one of McGill’s outstanding academics will give a lively and thought-provoking presentation on:

The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature

Psychology professor and best-selling author Daniel Levitin will discuss his latest book exploring the complex relationship between music and our evolution as a species. Discover what half a dozen songs can reveal about the prehistoric yet elegant systems at play when we dance at a wedding or tune out with an iPod.

Heather Munroe-Blum became the 16th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University in 2003. An accomplished scholar in the fields of epidemiology and public policy and a distinguished university leader, she has dedicated her career to the advancement of higher education, science and innovation in Canada and internationally. Among her main objectives as Principal of McGill is strengthening the University’s role at the world level with respect to research, graduate education, student experience and positive societal contribution. Dr. Munroe-Blum sits on several private and public boards, and currently serves as President of the Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CREPUQ) and on the executive committees of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Daniel Levitin is a producer, professor, neuroscientist, musician and author. His previous book, This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession, was a worldwide bestseller. As a record producer, he has worked with performers such as Stevie Wonder, Chris Isaak and Santana, earning 17 gold and platinum records in the process. Currently, he is a James McGill Professor and holds the Bell Chair in the Psychology of Electronic Communication. He is also director of McGill’s Laboratory for Music Perception, Cognition and Expertise, which studies the science of musical sound from the cellular level all the way to our sophisticated emotional responses. His research is spurred by a desire, Professor Levitin says, "to learn where goosebumps come from."

Cost: Free