The Musical Odyssey of the Brain

A scientific and musical cabaret inside your brain, and some great scientific encounters on the benefits of music throughout life: The Musical Brain Odyssey will take place in Caen from 27 to 30 April 2026 at Le Sillon, MJC du Chemin Vert.

Every day, from 6pm, there will be talks and discussions with scientists renowned for their work on the influence of music on the brain, followed in the evening by the Rolling String Quintet's brand new show "L'Odyssée Musicale du Cerveau"!

Emmanuel Bigand, musician with the Rolling String Quintet, creator of the show and researcher and professor of cognitive psychology attached to the Institut Universitaire de France and the CNRS, explained in his book written with Barbara Tillman "La Symphonie neuronale": music is a biological necessity for human beings, it helps to build our brain and has probably played a decisive role in the survival of the species.

The Musical Odyssey of the Brain is presented as a journey inside the brain, discovering the regions of the brain stimulated by music: inner ear, brain stem, auditory cortexes, language areas, motor areas, limbic system, memory networks... Quite a programme!

In the form of a scientific cabaret, a string quartet and a singer will guide the audience on this auditory epic through a range of musical styles (from contemporary creation to popular contemporary music, via traditional repertoires).

A show open to all!
So book your tickets quickly on our Helloasso website!

The programme:
Monday 27 April - Music and the beginning of life
6 to 7.50 pm Discussions: Manuela Filippa, Senior Lecturer, University of Geneva, musician "Voice and music for premature babies: from cerebral plasticity to the parents' voice", Maya Gratier, Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Paris Nanterre. The role of musicality in early development, Hervé PLATEL, Professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Caen. Presentation of the MUSES Project
7.50pm-8.30pm Forum on "Local musical offerings for early childhood".
8.30pm Performance of "L'Odyssée musicale du cerveau" (The Musical Odyssey of the Brain) and on-stage chat with the musicians about the brain
Tuesday 28 April School day - When music stimulates my brain!
10am "The Musical Odyssey of the Brain" session reserved for schools Cité éducative (sold out)
1.30pm and 2.30pm workshops for schools
6pm Gérald GENTY in concert. Opening act: Valery DEKOWSKI, Senghor school intergenerational choir.
Wednesday 29 April - Music at school!
5pm to 7pm Scientific meetings: Emmanuel BIGAND When music supports learning
Sandrine ROSSI, Céline LANOE, Amélie LUBIN and Odran GUILBERT Metacognition at school, a project from Caen: PROMIS, Presentation of the "Chercheurs en actes" prize to the PROMIS project
8pm Show "L'Odyssée musicale du cerveau" (The brain's musical odyssey) and on-stage chat with the musicians about the brain
Thursday 30 April - Music and health
6-8pm Scientific meeting: Hervé PLATEL: Music and cognition as we move through life!
Mikaël GENGUELOU, Educational Director of the University Diploma in Music Therapy, Doctoral student in psychology - Epsylon Laboratory, University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry: Music and emotion
Sylvie CHOKRON: Singing in a choir is good for your health!
8-8.30pm Forum for musical and dance activities for senior citizens
8.30pm Show "L'Odyssée musicale du cerveau" (The brain's musical odyssey) and on-stage chat with the musicians about the brain

Exhibition "Sauve qui peut la musique! "Drawings by Plantu throughout the Odyssey!

This event is organised by Emmanuel Bigand, the Music-N association GIMMIC (Musique et Neuroéducation pour Grandir et Innover avec des Méthodes Motivantes, Inclusives et Coopératives) and the Musilience association.

• Free for all