The Engineers' Orchestra: A Conductorless Orchestra for Developing 21st Century Professional Skills

Abstract

Reaching one's full potential embodies much of human aspiration, yet in general, the student engineer is not born an experienced team player or communicator, both necessary for effective leadership. In fact, engineers may be predisposed to the opposite side of the psychological spectrum. Research has shown they often suit a cognitive style known as field-independence, preferring solitary work and non-social environments. But industry and government continue to call for the cultivation of professional skills, i.e., leadership, teamwork, and communication, due to the increasing size and complexity of 21st century engineering projects. As is well-known anecdotally, engineering schools harbor large percentages of musicians. Brain research has shown that music-making has endowed these engineer-musicians with neurological benefits that already prime them for leadership, teaming, and communicative roles; thus they are excellent contenders for meaningful professional lives. A project-based learning lab that builds upon the musical ability of student engineers can help cultivate these professional skills. Such a lab now exists in the form of a conductorless orchestra-an ensemble, minus conductor-that features engineering students in collaborative, communicative, and leadership roles. A four-year study tracking professional skills in an undergraduate conductorless orchestra 'lab' demonstrates engineering student development in leadership, teamwork, and communication. This makes sense since they have to practice the latter two for successful performances. Yet effective teamwork and communication constitute two widely acknowledged traits of skilled leadership. Why not give our engineer-musicians an orchestra to call their own-a conductorless orchestra where they practice these professional skills in a large team environment-while doing something they love-music? A rationale and resources for a conductorless orchestra now exist that can apply to diverse engineering schools, large and small, throughout the United States.