A study reported in the Journal of Intelligence found that those with better musical skills tend to have better mathematical skills, and vice versa. The study, led by Michaela A. Meier, reports that this may be because both music and math are based on principles such as ratios and repeating patterns, and proficiency in both requires skills in pattern detection, memory, and sequencing.
MIT has developed a virtual violin computer simulation tool. The tool, based on the Strad3D project, breaks down the geometry and materials to capture the precise physics of the instrument. The tool can be used to guide instrument builders and help determine what makes a particular instrument “great”.
The group which manages WLRN radio has reached an out of court settlement with the station owner, Miami-Dade County School Board. The School Board had disputed and tried to block the purchase of West Palm Beach station WFLM, 104.7 FM, for $6.45 million. The purchase was to allow WLRN to simulcast in Palm Beach County over a higher powered transmitter, rather than the low-powered 101.9 FM it currently uses. The management team will continue to manage WLRN for the next seven years, and ownership of WFLM will transfer to the School Board for the price of $1.
Members of Equity have voted 98 percent in favor of approving a strike at London’s West End. They are asking for a 7 percent pay raise in each of the next three years, as well as better holiday and sick pay.
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Paramount and Warner have announced a partnership to produce theatrical films. The films would be drawn from the lives and music of artists and songwriters on Warner’s roster.
Warner Music has reported revenue of $1.7 billion for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. That is a 12.1 percent increase over the previous year, driven by 12.7 percent increases in recorded music and subscription streaming revenues.
Netflix reports it has 250 million global monthly active viewers in its ad-supported tier. That is is a 31 percent increase over the 190 million reported in November 2025. Netflix also reports that 80 percent of those viewers watch actively every week.
California’s 2025 increase in its tax credits for film production is starting to show results. Since California increased the credits available from #330 million to $750 million, 147 productions have been approved, an increase of 53 percent from the previous year. Animated productions are now eligible, and both Disney and DreamWorks have been approved for productions that will take place entirely in California.
Spotify and Universal Music have reached agreement on licensing content for AI-powered covers and remixes. Users of Spotify Premium will be able to purchase an add-on that will allow them to remix songs, which all Spotify users will then be able to listen to. Only material from artists that opt in will be available, and the AI-powered content will provide an additional revenue stream for artists in addition to their usual royalties.
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The Chicago Sinfonietta will pause programs and lay off staff at the end of the season. The Sinfonietta has not fully recovered from the COVID pandemic, so it will lay off all staff except the president and the CEO in order to focus on fundraising. It plans to relaunch programs in 2027.
The Sarasota Orchestra has received $11.7 million from an anonymous donor. The funds will go toward its new music center, and brings the total raised for the center to nearly $87 million of the $375 to $450 million projected cost. The new home for the orchestra will include a 1800-seat concert hall, a 700-seat recital hall, an educational building, and rehearsal and administrative space.
Jeffrey Kahane is launching a new orchestra in San Antonio. Kahane, formerly director of the San Antonio Philharmonic, is launching Harmonium of Texas in October of 2026 to create more opportunities for area musicians. They have already raised $800,000 of the $3 million budget for the first season.