Attending a live music performance can reduce a person's levels of stress hormone cortisol, a new study has shown.

Researchers studied 117 volunteers attending two concerts of music by composer Eric Whitacre at recent events.

The volunteers provided saliva samples before the performances, and then again during the interval an hour later. Testing the samples for levels of cortisol and cortisone, researchers recorded across-the-board reductions in the second samples.

Cortisol is produced by the body under physical or psychological stress.  It can have a positive effect in small doses, improving alertness and well-being. However, chronically elevated cortisol levels can worsen medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and impotency.

"These results are in line with 22 previous studies showing that listening to music in the controlled setting of either a laboratory or a hospital can reduce cortisol levels," researcher said.

"It is of note that none of these biological changes were associated with age, musical experience or familiarity with the music being performed. This suggests there is a universal response to concert attendance among audience members."

However, they noted that the study focused "solely on the effects of relatively calm, classical music; more research will be needed to ascertain whether other genres of music elicit different effects or whether attending other types of cultural events has different endocrine impact.

"Nevertheless, this study opens up the question of how engaging with music and the arts in cultural settings can influence biological and psychological states and, consequently, the potential of cultural events to enhance people's broader health and well-being."

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OVER 800 people packed into the famous Othello’s Tower next to Famagusta harbour last night 28th July 2015 to watch the bicommunal musical group "Kyproyenia” perform a mix of traditional Cypriot music at the event "Under the Moonlight".

Both Turkish and Greek Cypriots packed into the ancient venue, with many standing as the event was filled to capacity.

The concert was organised by the Technical Committee on Culture, with the two leaders President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci receiving a loud round of applause and cheers on their arrival.

The concert was introduced by Androulla Vassiliou and Zehra Sonya, the representatives of the
bi-communal committee for Culture.

"This is really a celebratory show,” one spectator told FG. "It is a celebration of a new era in Cyprus.”

"As you will remember on the 8th of June we were together with Mr Anastasiades, my friend Nicos, in Limassol for a theatre play we watched together. Tonight, we are here in Famagusta. So once in the south and now in the north the idea is that Cyprus is our homeland; be it Limassol or be it Famagusta that doesn’t make any difference," Mustafa Akinci told reporters.

The Othello Tower and Citadel in Famagusta re-opened earlier this month after extensive restoration works carried out by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF).

An opening event on July 2nd included a performance of the "Othello” by William Shakespeare by a young bi-communal performing group.


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Eastern Mediterranean University’s 21st Spring Festival, which took place under the main sponsorship of North Cyprus Turkcell between 21 and 24 May, finished with an unforgettable concert by Athena.

During the 2-hour concert which enthralled thousands, Athena’s colorful performance left a truly lasting impression on the audience. At the end of the concert, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Osam and Vice Rector for Student Affairs Hıfsiye Pulhan presented a plaque of appreciation and a bouquet to Athena.

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Credit: EMU

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Organised by Eastern Mediterranean University International Promotion Office, a concert by the music band ‘InterContinental Concerts’ formed by 30 students took place at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center. 

Formed by talented students from 10 different countries, music group ‘InterContinental Concerts’ aims to produce art through combining the concepts of peace, love and life through music.

The concert which started at 8:00 p.m. featured various popular songs like “My life”, “Unrecognized” and “The Journey”. The group also exhibited the promotional film entitled ‘The Fellowship of EMU’. Amongst notable names who attended the concert were Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen and Vice Rector for Promotion Prof. Dr. Hasan Amca .

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3RD Intercontinental Concert
[ETERNAL LOVE]

Date: 28th October 2014
Venue: Rauf Raif Cultural Center
[Rauf Raif Denktaş Kongere Salonu]
Time: 8:00PM

[Bus Service: 19:30 at DAU2]

Featuring:
Audrey
Emmanuel
Sefkat
Arsham
Okan
Shakhnoza
Yasaman
Chinedu
Maria
Shahed
Mehrdad
Gaius
Behzad
Salar

This is the meaning of Eternal Love
All the planets and all the stars
Having their axis to rotate around
Look how they keep turning this much strong 

Music Composer: Shahed Mohseni Zonoozi
www.intercontinentalconcerts.org
Facebook: Intercontinental Concerts

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