Latest news with #MichaelSticka
Ottawa Citizen
25-04-2025
- Science
- Ottawa Citizen
GRAMMY Museum® Grant Program Awards $200,000 for Music Research and Sound Preservation
Article content Article content LOS ANGELES — The GRAMMY Museum ® Grant Program announced today that $200,000 in grants will be awarded to 15 recipients in the United States to help facilitate a range of research on a variety of subjects, as well as support a number of archiving and preservation programs. Article content 'The GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy ® have continued their partnership to provide fundamental funding for music research and preservation projects across the United States and Canada. We are incredibly inspired by this year's recipients and what they set to accomplish,' said Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum. 'Our mission is to lead in fostering a world where a shared passion for music fuels curiosity, creativity and community. We are honored to support these remarkable projects that continue to shape the future of music, science and technology.' Article content Article content Generously funded by the Recording Academy, the GRAMMY Museum Grant Program provides funding annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the recorded sound heritage of the Americas for future generations, in addition to research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition. In 2008, the GRAMMY Museum Grant Program expanded its categories to include assistance grants for individuals and small to mid-sized organizations to aid collections held by individuals and organizations that may not have access to the expertise needed to create a preservation plan. The assistance planning process, which may include inventorying and stabilizing a collection, articulates the steps to be taken to ultimately archive recorded sound materials for future generations. This year marks the 37th year of the program. Article content More information about the program can be found at Article content CERVO Brain Research Center — Quebec City, QC Awarded: $20,000 Their goal is to uncover how choir singing impacts communication (voice, articulation, listening) and auditory cognition in older adults, supporting healthy aging through a randomized training study. We further explore neurobiological mechanisms underlying these changes via multimodal brain imaging. This project aims to inform community choirs and music-based interventions, aligning with the foundation's mission to enhance quality of life through music. Article content Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital – CISSS Laval — Laval, QC Awarded: $19,500 Stroke typically leads to persistent deficits in arm and hand function. This project will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a 6-week piano training intervention aimed at improving manual dexterity and the functional use of the arm and hand. For the first time, such intervention will be delivered as part of a home-based, early, and intensive rehabilitation program for individuals with stroke. Article content New York University — New York, NY Awarded: $9,000 Many people struggle with speech-language disorders due to developmental issues or brain injuries. Although music therapy can help these individuals regain speech functions, its effectiveness varies because we don't fully understand the underlying brain mechanisms. By combining neuroimaging and machine learning, this study will explore how the brain can 'bypass' damaged speech-language networks by leveraging musical networks to enhance communication. Article content Article content University of South Florida — Tampa, FL Awarded: $9,000 This randomized trial will examine the effects of a novel woodwind program on neural responses and respiration function in adults 50+ with Long-term COVID (LTC). Adults will complete measures of cognitive processing (EEG) and respiration function (spirometer), pre and post-10 weeks of either Nuvo jsax lessons or an attentional control task. We predict that a woodwind program will enhance cognitive processing and respiration function in adults with LTC. Article content University of Toronto — Toronto, ON Awarded: $20,000 Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS ®) uses rhythmic sound cues to help people with Parkinson's disease (PD) start and maintain stable movement. This project is the first to examine how these cues impact brain chemistry in PD, revealing the brain's response to these cues. Their findings could improve the use of RAS as part of PD care, refining clinical applications that work alongside standard medication to support movement and enhance quality of life in PD. Article content Lex Gillespie — Washington, D.C. Awarded: $5,000 The project will preserve 75 interviews from the 10-hour Peabody Award-winning public radio series, 'Whole Lotta Shakin'.' It tells the story of rockabilly, the exciting 1950s mix of blues, gospel and country that is the cornerstone of rock and roll. This diverse collection features singers, musicians, producers, disc jockeys, and record company owners. The goal: to digitize these decaying recordings for use by scholars, content providers and the public. Article content Memphis Listening Lab — Memphis, TN Awarded: $5,000 GRAMMY Museum Preservation Assistance funding will enable the Memphis Listening Lab (MLL) to hire an expert consultant to conduct a Preservation Assessment of MLL's extensive collection of recorded music. The consultant will be drawn from the GRAMMY Museum's list of recommended experts and will provide MLL with a written report detailing their observations and recommendations for preserving MLL's collection, which is freely accessible to the public.
National Post
24-04-2025
- Science
- National Post
GRAMMY Museum® Grant Program Awards $200,000 for Music Research and Sound Preservation
Article content Article content LOS ANGELES — The GRAMMY Museum ® Grant Program announced today that $200,000 in grants will be awarded to 15 recipients in the United States to help facilitate a range of research on a variety of subjects, as well as support a number of archiving and preservation programs. Article content 'The GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy ® have continued their partnership to provide fundamental funding for music research and preservation projects across the United States and Canada. We are incredibly inspired by this year's recipients and what they set to accomplish,' said Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum. 'Our mission is to lead in fostering a world where a shared passion for music fuels curiosity, creativity and community. We are honored to support these remarkable projects that continue to shape the future of music, science and technology.' Article content Generously funded by the Recording Academy, the GRAMMY Museum Grant Program provides funding annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the recorded sound heritage of the Americas for future generations, in addition to research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition. In 2008, the GRAMMY Museum Grant Program expanded its categories to include assistance grants for individuals and small to mid-sized organizations to aid collections held by individuals and organizations that may not have access to the expertise needed to create a preservation plan. The assistance planning process, which may include inventorying and stabilizing a collection, articulates the steps to be taken to ultimately archive recorded sound materials for future generations. This year marks the 37th year of the program. Article content More information about the program can be found at Article content CERVO Brain Research Center — Quebec City, QC Awarded: $20,000 Their goal is to uncover how choir singing impacts communication (voice, articulation, listening) and auditory cognition in older adults, supporting healthy aging through a randomized training study. We further explore neurobiological mechanisms underlying these changes via multimodal brain imaging. This project aims to inform community choirs and music-based interventions, aligning with the foundation's mission to enhance quality of life through music. Article content Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital – CISSS Laval — Laval, QC Awarded: $19,500 Stroke typically leads to persistent deficits in arm and hand function. This project will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a 6-week piano training intervention aimed at improving manual dexterity and the functional use of the arm and hand. For the first time, such intervention will be delivered as part of a home-based, early, and intensive rehabilitation program for individuals with stroke. Article content New York University — New York, NY Awarded: $9,000 Many people struggle with speech-language disorders due to developmental issues or brain injuries. Although music therapy can help these individuals regain speech functions, its effectiveness varies because we don't fully understand the underlying brain mechanisms. By combining neuroimaging and machine learning, this study will explore how the brain can 'bypass' damaged speech-language networks by leveraging musical networks to enhance communication. Article content University of South Florida — Tampa, FL Awarded: $9,000 This randomized trial will examine the effects of a novel woodwind program on neural responses and respiration function in adults 50+ with Long-term COVID (LTC). Adults will complete measures of cognitive processing (EEG) and respiration function (spirometer), pre and post-10 weeks of either Nuvo jsax lessons or an attentional control task. We predict that a woodwind program will enhance cognitive processing and respiration function in adults with LTC. Article content University of Toronto — Toronto, ON Awarded: $20,000 Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS ®) uses rhythmic sound cues to help people with Parkinson's disease (PD) start and maintain stable movement. This project is the first to examine how these cues impact brain chemistry in PD, revealing the brain's response to these cues. Their findings could improve the use of RAS as part of PD care, refining clinical applications that work alongside standard medication to support movement and enhance quality of life in PD. Article content Preservation Assistance Grantees Article content Lex Gillespie — Washington, D.C. Awarded: $5,000 The project will preserve 75 interviews from the 10-hour Peabody Award-winning public radio series, 'Whole Lotta Shakin'.' It tells the story of rockabilly, the exciting 1950s mix of blues, gospel and country that is the cornerstone of rock and roll. This diverse collection features singers, musicians, producers, disc jockeys, and record company owners. The goal: to digitize these decaying recordings for use by scholars, content providers and the public. Article content Memphis Listening Lab — Memphis, TN Awarded: $5,000 GRAMMY Museum Preservation Assistance funding will enable the Memphis Listening Lab (MLL) to hire an expert consultant to conduct a Preservation Assessment of MLL's extensive collection of recorded music. The consultant will be drawn from the GRAMMY Museum's list of recommended experts and will provide MLL with a written report detailing their observations and recommendations for preserving MLL's collection, which is freely accessible to the public.
Los Angeles Times
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Grammy Museum's Sonic Playground: Where accessibility meets creativity
The Grammy Museum's second floor just got a little louder. Sonic Playground, its newest permanent exhibit, demystifies the music-making process for people of all ages. Its 17 different interactive installations — featuring soundproof recording booths, an instrument-filled stage and even a how-to-DJ booth — allow visitors to uncover their musical potential. 'We hope people can come in, be curious and feel like they could explore. It isn't a 'Oh, I don't know how to do that,' or a 'I might embarrass myself' environment,' said Jasen Emmons, the museum's chief curator and VP of curatorial affairs. 'We want people to get into that playful state.' With an emphasis on creativity and curiosity, the downtown L.A. museum brings a new, accessible perspective to the competitive industry. The exhibition was fully funded by the institution's Campaign for Music Education, an initiative focused on lessening music education costs and fostering music's next generation. Since its inception, this fundraising effort has made the museum free to anyone under the age of 17 and expanded its scholarship programs. Now, Sonic Playground stands as the campaign's 'crown jewel' — making music available and digestible to visitors through expert-led tutorials and access to hands-on technology. Every year, the museum welcomes nearly 25,000 students. President and CEO Michael Sticka is hoping that the number at least doubles in the coming years. When he joined the institution seven years ago, one of the first things he did was create a department for community engagement. He says that it continues to be reflected in each of the museum's accomplishments. 'Community, in my mind, is such a core aspect of what a cultural institution should be. So the fact that we can make the Grammy Museum free for young people and have a one-of-a-kind, music-making experience in L.A. gets back to the core of what we're supposed to do,' Sticka said. 'We are supposed to provide an opportunity and exposure to music to those in our community.' Emmons, who joined the museum in 2022 from Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, says he's well aware of how uncomfortable people can get when asked to make music — so he decided to prioritize experiences that 'just get people to be people.' Inside the Recording Academy hub, the Sonic Playground resembles a collaborative studio. Students gather around the small stage to watch their classmates try their hand at the keytar, experiment with different drum patterns and share the connected headphones. Toddlers, and their trailing parents, wander through the electric forest — a series of touch-responsive LED poles — picking and choosing which sounds to play in the echoing composition. Before its official opening on Friday, students from Steam Legacy High School took a field trip to test out the new show. Crystal Ochoa, the school's psychiatric social worker, was excited to see how engaged the students were, especially because their school doesn't offer music curriculum. 'As they go in the little recording studios, you can see them light up,' Ochoa said. ' I don't even know if they've ever touched an instrument before. It's so important to expose them to every type of music and its process. It just goes to show how many steps go into a particular thing, and I think that's a lesson that can be applied to so many different things.' Inside the booths, small friend groups take turns either playing the guitar, freestyling over a hip-hop beat or practicing their vocal skills. Other visitors sit attentively, following the step-by-step tutorials on how to use a drum machine or create a sample. Jennesys Ortiz, Alexa Vidana and Janessa Segura, all students at Legacy High, weren't sure what to expect at the museum; they thought they were just coming to see a bunch of trophies. As big fans of stars like Karol G and Tyler the Creator, they say they were excited to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of their favorite songs. 'Music is a way for people to express their feelings and some people don't listen to certain kinds of music or don't sing. So this is a way for all of us to experience things we have never heard of,' said Segura, who was particularly intrigued by the loop machines. 'I've seen this kind of stuff before in movies, but I had never actually seen it in real life.' Most attendees also won't be going home empty-handed. A majority of beats or looping tracks they produced can be downloaded, via a QR code. This was one of the priorities of the Sonic Playground's youth advisory board — a small group of young musicians who helped inform the exhibit's curation. Throughout the planning process, they met once a month to discuss goals and provide feedback to Emmons. 'We needed to make the museum relevant and exciting to their age group. It's not enough to only offer free admission. It has to be useful to them,' said Emmons. 'I had to have them involved so we don't as adults think, 'Oh, this is what they're gonna want.' It's about hearing from them directly — especially because they're all musicians.' Beyond pulling music's curtain back, Sonic Playground aims to expose a young audience to the industry and its possibilities. While visitors are learning to DJ or produce a beat, the SoundTrax Career Wall offers quick answers to those interested in pursuing a job in music. The 50-foot wall diagram highlights different career paths, paired with informational interviews from people in these positions. Emmons says everyone, whether aspiring to be a musician or not, can learn something from this space. 'Not everybody's going to become a musician, but having somebody show you what a drum machine or what sampling is, that's when you start to have a deeper appreciation for music,' Emmons said. 'A big part of this is, 'How can we train people to be better listeners?' But also be able to hear things and say, 'Hey, I know how that's made.''
