Composing for Wellness: Music as a Cognitive Utility

Event ID: PP1162351

Sun, Mar 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue: Capitol Ballroom FGH (Downright Austin)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

As streaming reshapes how music is experienced, functional audio—designed to boost focus, mood, and behavior—is redefining where and how music matters. From classrooms to clinics to retail, neuroscience-backed compositions are driving emotional outcomes and creating measurable improvements in learning, productivity, and sentiment. This panel explores how composers, researchers, and platforms are creating purpose-built music that now outperforms major label artists—financially and functionally—on DSPs and B2B services.

Contributors

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