Live music remains a cornerstone of cultural life worldwide, yet its power often feels more intense than any recording. A new study from the University of Toronto reveals that even infants as young as six months favor live performances.
Led by Assistant Professor Laura Cirelli of U of T Scarborough’s TEMPO Lab, researchers recruited 120 babies aged 6–14 months. Half watched a children’s opera concert live in a concert hall at McMaster University; the other half viewed a meticulously reproduced recording. Both groups were matched for performer size, distance, and volume.
Babies wore heart monitors and were tracked with tablets that recorded where they looked during the performance.
Babies at the live concert paid attention to 72% of the show, compared with 54% for those watching the recording. Live‑attendees also maintained longer, uninterrupted focus periods.
Heart‑rate data showed synchronized fluctuations for babies in the live setting, indicating heightened physiological engagement despite surrounding distractions.
Cirelli notes that live music’s social context—interactions with musicians and fellow audience members—likely fuels infants’ sustained attention and emotional connection. "Music provides a highly social and emotional backdrop where infants can forge bonds with caregivers, family, and even strangers," she said.
The team is now exploring whether virtual live performances (e.g., Zoom concerts) can replicate these benefits, offering accessible options for parents beyond major cities.
Read the full study in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts.
