Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Muskegon Community College (MCC) will host the fourth installment of its popular MCC on Tap Lecture Series, titled “MCC on Tap Presents: Why Music Is More Than Sound,” on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The lecture will take place at Brewer’s Lounge at Pigeon Hill Brewing Company, 895 4th Street in Muskegon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public; food and beverages are not included with admission.

Dr. Evin Rodkey, MCC Anthropology Instructor, and April Shirey, MCC Registrar, will explore the profound ways music impacts our minds and cultures. Attendees will learn how music engages the brain—activating areas responsible for emotion, memory, movement, and reward—while also reflecting cultural meaning. The presenters will discuss how music strengthens neural connections, supports learning, triggers dopamine releases that make listening pleasurable or motivating, and even helps regulate stress by calming the nervous system.

“Music is more than just sound—it’s a deeply human experience that connects us culturally, emotionally, and psychologically,” said Shirey “We hope attendees leave with a new appreciation for how music shapes the way we think, feel, and interact with the world.”

The MCC on Tap Lecture Series was created to connect MCC faculty expertise with the broader community through accessible, off-campus venues that encourage conversation, reflection, and engagement.

• What: MCC on Tap Lecture Series – “Why Music Is More Than Sound”
• When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026: Doors open: 5:30 PM, Lecture begins: 6:00 PM
• Where: Brewer’s Lounge at Pigeon Hill Brewing Company, 895 4th Street, Muskegon
• Cost: Free and open to the public (food and beverages not included)