Scientific Goals

1. Promote research on the genetics, genomics and phenomics of musicality
2. Promote coordinated meta-analyses, using harmonized phenotypes across existing datasets
3. Promote large-scale GWAS meta-analysis of existing phenotype-genotype data on musicality
4. Identify existing cohorts that contain music/ality and/or genetic data, and promote the sharing of this information collaboratively among research groups
5. Actively engage teams of researchers working in the field of genomics/human genetics/complex trait genetics to include musicality phenotypes, aiming to deploy musicality phenotyping in ongoing epidemiological/genetic studies

Core Functions and Strategies

Primary strategy: Develop diverse network of researchers to collaborate on research topics prioritizing genomics of musicality, with a particular focus on projects that would not be possible without large-scale collaboration.

1. Prioritize manageable deliverables, recognizing ‘low-hanging fruit’, and being pragmatic (N.B. For complex trait GWAS, we don’t need perfect phenotypes)
2. Develop strategies on how to harmonize existing measures of musicality phenotypes
3. Develop scalable and robust phenotypes that are effective for large and diverse cohorts (i.e. to detect the modest gene effect sizes). 
4. Define common terminology
5. Pitch (ie. promote) musicality phenotyping to ongoing large-scale epi/health studies using a Menu of Phenotyping options in order to customize a study’s scientific goals, needs and constraints (Aim for flexibility!)
6. Develop and implement guidelines for ethically and socially responsible conduct of musicality genetics research;
7. Utilize robust methods; prioritize replication; guard against known methodological flaws and biases
8. Convene regular meetings.