WHAT DID DINOSAURS really sound like? Hollywood has long depicted them as roaring beasts, but new research suggests their vocalizations were likely very different. Thanks to an innovative musical project called Dinosaur Choir, we are now closer than ever to uncovering the sounds of these ancient creatures.
A Musical Journey into the Prehistoric World
Dinosaur Choir is a groundbreaking musical instrument designed by artists Courtney Brown and Cezary Gajewski. It reconstructs the vocal tract of the Corythosaurus, a duck-billed dinosaur known for its distinctive crest. The project allows users to simulate dinosaur sounds by blowing into a microphone, which then processes the breath through a computational model of the dinosaur’s skull. Instead of the terrifying roars we hear in movies, the resulting sound is more like a deep, haunting wail.
The Evolution of an Idea
The inspiration for this project dates back to 2011, when Brown visited a dinosaur museum in New Mexico. Fascinated by the crests of Parasaurolophus—close relatives of the Corythosaurus—she learned that these structures likely functioned as resonating chambers for vocalizations. As a musician, she immediately saw the connection: “Ok, you were singers too,” she thought.
This led to her first project, Rawr! A Study in Sonic Skulls, which explored dinosaur vocalizations using a mechanical larynx. However, hygiene concerns—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—prompted her to develop a more computationally driven approach. Thus, Dinosaur Choir was born.
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Courtney Brown presents the Dinosaur Choir at Georgia Tech’s 2025 Guthman Musical Instrument Competition. Photo by Wes McRae / Georgia Tech School of Music. |
Scientific Collaboration and Cutting-Edge Technology
In 2021, Brown traveled to Canada, where the Corythosaurus once roamed, to refine her research. Working alongside paleontologist Thomas Dudgeon from the University of Toronto and the Royal Ontario Museum, she utilized the latest CT scans and 3D modeling techniques to create a life-sized, highly detailed replica of a Corythosaurus skull.
With a computational vocal box replacing the physical one, Brown had the flexibility to test various hypotheses about how dinosaurs might have vocalized. Her research was further inspired by a 2023 study on the ankylosaur larynx, which suggested that non-avian dinosaurs may have had a syrinx (bird-like voice box) rather than a mammalian-style larynx. This could mean that some dinosaurs chirped or honked rather than roaring.
Recognition and Future Possibilities
Dinosaur Choir recently gained international recognition at Georgia Tech’s 2025 Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, where it stood out for its blend of scientific research and artistic expression.
As technology advances, projects like Dinosaur Choir open exciting new possibilities for understanding the prehistoric world. Could we one day create a symphony of ancient sounds? Only time will tell.
🔍 Watch Dinosaur Choir in action here: Dinosaur Choir Video
What do you think? Would you want to hear more reconstructions of ancient sounds? Let us know in the comments! 🦕🎶