Sound as Vibration: Perspectives on Perception - TU Dublin Seminar Explores the Senses Behind Sound
A new seminar series at TU Dublin Concert Hall opens with a compelling exploration of sound as vibration, offering audiences fresh perspectives on how touch, hearing, and perception intertwine in the making and understanding of music. This free event, ‘Sound as Vibration: Perspectives on Perception,’ marks the first in a series of conversations dedicated to the physical and sensory dimensions of sound, and how these shape the evolution of musical instruments and performance.
Presented in collaboration with TU Dublin’s Culture & Society Research Hub and the TouchTheSound Project, the seminar brings together internationally renowned performers and scholars to discuss the deep connections between vibration, perception, and musical creativity.
The day begins at 11:00am with Marco Ramelli (TU Dublin) in conversation with Jonathan Leathwood (University of Denver), delving into Ramelli’s recent publication in Soundboard Scholar, ‘A Lost Culture of Touch and Sound: The Contribution of Visually Impaired Musicians to the Evolution of Spanish Guitar.’ Their discussion will trace the tactile and auditory innovations of visually impaired guitarists and how their unique approaches to touch and sound helped shape the instrument’s expressive language.
Following a short break, at 13:10, pianist and researcher Tom Beghin (Orpheus Institute and McGill University) will present his guest lecture, ‘SEEING, TOUCHING, HEARING: Exploring Intersections of Technology and Disability in Beethoven’s Late Piano Music.’ Beghin’s talk investigates how Beethoven’s engagement with new technologies—and his evolving relationship to hearing loss transformed his approach to sound, touch, and musical expression.
The seminar concludes with a round table discussion at 14:30, chaired by Mary Lennon (TU Dublin), featuring Beghin, Ramelli, Leathwood, and Cliona Doris (TU Dublin). Together, they will reflect on the day’s presentations, considering broader implications for music-making, accessibility, and sensory perception in the arts.
Supported by the Culture & Society Research Hub Development Seed Fund, this event offers a rare opportunity to witness how research, performance, and sensory awareness converge in the study of sound.
Admission is free, and registration is now open at: https://bit.ly/449D8oy
Agenda:
Date: Wednesday 19th November 2025
Location: TU Dublin Concert Hall, East Quad
Title: Seminar: Sound as Vibration: Perspectives on Perception
Overview:
11:00 – 12:00
- Marco Ramelli in conversation with Jonathan Leathwood
- A Lost Culture of Touch and Sound: The Contribution of Visually Impaired Musicians to the Evolution of Spanish Guitar
13:10 – 14:00
- Guest Lecture: Tom Beghin
- SEEING, TOUCHING, HEARING Exploring Intersections of Technology and Disability in Beethoven’s Late Piano Music
14:30 – 15:30
- Panel Discussion: Sound as Vibration: Perspectives on Perception
- Mary Lennon (Chair), Tom Beghin, Cliona Doris, Jonathan Leathwood and Marco Ramelli
Free Tickets Available: https://bit.ly/449D8oy