Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story? Hamilton As A Case Study For Musical Mnemonics

Abstract

The study of musical mnemonics arose as an attempt to understand why and how music triggers the human brain in such profound ways. Decades of scholarly research have uncovered the complex interplay between music and human brain processes in ways that are able to elicit unique responses, particularly in individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, learning disabilities, or other sensory anomalies. Previous research has demonstrated that music has inherent structures capable of improving retention, recall, language decoding, general cognitive processes, and in some ways, intelligence. These heightened brain processes have been found to be particularly well suited in enhancing learning capabilities in academic settings. However, there is a significant gap in the literature about how musical mnemonics are employed and engaged within live entertainment, such as musicals, to create dynamic cognitive experiences, as well its applications and efficacy within learning environments (i.e., modulated history instruction supplemented with arts-based field trips)