Online symposium: Music and Cats
28. Nov. - 29. Nov.
11:00-19:00 CET
This symposium is the first-ever comprehensive event dedicated to music and cats, bringing together research from various fields, including music history and theory, popular music studies, human-animal studies, psychology, behavioral biology, media and cultural studies, literary studies, and artistic practice, among others.
As companion animals to humans for several millennia, cats have influenced music-making in myriad ways. Felines have sparked the creativity of musicians and composers across genres, from Western classical music to contemporary popular music. They have inspired the composition of countless pieces – many of which are explicitly about cats or even composed for feline ears. Felines have gained symbolic significance, particularly through their associations with women and femininity. Historically, cats have long been ascribed musicality. Medieval illustrations depict them engaging with musical instruments, including lutes, flutes, and bagpipes. In the early 20th century, some cats were trained to speak and sing, providing entertainment for audiences. In contemporary culture, cats have emerged as internet sensations, appearing in viral videos where they sing, dance, and play instruments. This phenomenon challenges common perceptions of musicality as a predominantly human trait, prompting a reflection on what it means to be musical. Even more generally, examining the connections between music and cats invites us to critically reflect on human-animal relations, which have varied from admiration to disdain throughout history.
Showcasing the breadth of this field, over two days, scholars and artists will explore topics ranging from the symbolism of cats in medieval codices to the use of cats as gendered metaphors in blues and jazz, as well as the creation of music about cats, for cats, and even by cats. Contributions investigate multispecies soundscapes and examine the unique relationships between musicians and their feline companions, including Freddie Mercury and Taylor Swift. Additionally, the role of cat memes in politics and music education will be addressed, along with discussions on music and animal advocacy, as well as the presence of cats in recording studios and on synthesizers in space.
Attendance is free of charge. All attendees will have to register via Eventbrite. Registration opens in September.
Contact:
Monika E. Schoop
Professor of Musicology (esp. Popular Music Studies)
Institute of Fine Arts, Music, and Education
Leuphana University Lüneburg
monika.schoop[at]leuphana.de