Musician Health and Safety

The following resources contain best practices related to health and safety in musical settings. These are links to research-based strategies for maintaining personal health and safety within the contexts of practice, performance, teaching, and listening. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to supplement the resources below with professional information that is specific to their particular areas of music activity.

Protecting Your Hearing Health

• NASM-PAMA Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
• Music Induced Hearing Loss and Hearing Protection, by John F. King, Au.D.
• OSHA: Noise/Hearing Conservation
• Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
• American Academy of Audiology
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Musculoskeletal Health and Injury

• The Role of Rest, by Ralph A. Manchester
• Repetitive Stress and Strain Injuries: Preventive Exercises for the Musician, by Gail A. Shafer-Crane
• Musicians Health

Psychological Health

• Performance Anxiety (WebMD)
• Conquering performance anxiety from inside out, by Helen Spielman
• The Inner Game of Music, by Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallwey
• A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances, by Eloise Ristad

Equipment and Technology Safety

• Students working in the COFAC Recital Hall must complete a training session on how to safely move the grand pianos on stage. Contact Joanie Herbert for information.
• Students working as audio/recording technicians must complete a training session on how to safely use the sound system and recording equipment. Contact James Land for information.

NOTE:

It is important to note that health and safety depend largely on personal decisions made by informed individuals. WIU has health and safety responsibilities, but fulfillment of these responsibilities cannot and will not ensure any individual's health and safety. Too many factors beyond WIU's control are involved. Each individual is personally responsible for avoiding risk and preventing injuries to themselves before, during, and after study or employment in WIU School of Music. The policies, protocols, and operational procedures developed by the School of Music do not alter or cancel any individual's personal responsibility, or in any way shift personal responsibility for the results of any individual's personal decisions or actions in any instance or over time to the University.