Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Music as Catalyst for Technology Talent


When I was completing my IT diploma at the Information Technology Institute (ITI) a few years back, our class often socialized together – most often at various venues on Spring Garden Road in Halifax, but also occasionally at one of our classmates’ homes/apartments. I was pleasantly surprised that the ability to pick up a guitar, electric piano, harmonica, etc. and to play something (with some talent) was more often the case than not among this group of IT educator candidates. It was more than just music appreciation, and the quality of performance was often quite good. It got so a few of us were jamming at least once a week in the final months of our program.

A new report has just come out from ICTC that expands on this, presenting compelling research on why cities with great music scenes and music education produce some of the best technology hubs, and attract substantial science and technology talent.

Check out the report.
 
This publication presents a bi-directional view of the role of music in the development of technology hubs. On the one hand, there is a substantial overlap in the skills of music and technology including:
  • Creativity & innovation
  • Independent and analytical thinking
  • Computational skills
  • Adaptability
  • Decision-making
  • Initiative Leadership
  • Planning and organizing
  • Teamwork and relationship-building
On the other hand, the appreciation of music and musical performance seems to be important to those who seek a living in technology and innovation industries. So, those municipalities that boast a healthy variety of music performance venues are considered favourably in terms of quality of life by both technology professionals and the executives who hire them.
 
So much for left brain, right brain? I wonder now if the great music scene in Halifax was one of the reasons I chose to stay here after my Masters degree? It certainly was one of the reasons I was so enthusiastic in participating in and facilitating the development of the Music Arts and Music Business programs at NSCC.