Page 110 - How to Shine on Stage

as physically and mentally stressful, 90% reported high satisfaction with
their job.
The occupational stressors and challenges musicians face are re-
flected in relatively high rates of mental health problems (Perkins et
al., 2017). For example, the classical musician profession is character-
ized by constant comparison with others and by competitiveness, high
rates of job insecurity, financial instability, and personal sacrifice (Mac-
Namara et al., 2016; Perkins et al., 2017). Additionally, these musicians
spend very long hours practising, often in isolation (Ericsson & Harwell,
2019). All of these challenges can function as barriers to optimal men-
tal health (Perkins et al., 2017; Wristen, 2013). A high amount of practice
can also cause musculoskeletal pain related to instrument playing (Baad-
jou, 2018) and overuse injuries (Bird, 2013), which have been linked to an
increased risk for depression (Kenny & Ackermann, 2015). Indeed, the
lifestyle habits of musicians are frequently characterized by unhealthy
practices, such as insufficient and irregular sleep schedules (Araújo et al.,
2017; Pecen et al., 2016). Sleep quality is poor among many musicians
(Araújo et al., 2017; Vaag et al., 2016), which is correlated with mental
health problems (Roberts & Duong, 2013). Given these music-related
stressors and challenges, scholars have emphasized the need to support
musicians in building psychological resilience (Araújo et al., 2017; Os-
borne et al., 2014; Wiggins, 2011).
Various musical profiles (music teacher, soloist, orchestra member,
conductor, composer) face specific stressors in their work environment.
For example, typical stressors in composers are the lack of creative ide-
as and the lack of time, in professional music performers the audience’s
reaction to their performance, and in music educators the monotony of
everyday teaching or problems with discipline in the classroom (Kohut,
1992).
The profession of performing musician requires a number of skills in
order to develop and maintain a successful musical career. These skills
include technical excellence, expressive quality, business skills, and the
ability to interact with audiences and other stakeholders (Vaag et al.,
2014; Williamon, 2004).
A systematic review of the literature on the occupational demands of
performing musicians identified seven categories of work demands: public
exposure, personal hazards, repertoire, competition, job context, injury
and illness, and exposure to criticism (Vervainioti & Alexopoulos, 2015).
Most performing musicians teach or work as a self-employed person
in addition to their primary occupation, which signifies constant tran-