Music performance anxiety: An intervention program in a choir

Abstract

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) consists of anxious apprehension linked to musical expressions suffered by musicians and singers, affecting their levels of well-being, concentration and interpretive quality. This study focuses on the design and implementation of an intervention based on the MPA of amateur choristers, music students and professionals. Mixed methods were used through several instruments before and after the program to gather information. The results indicate that: (a) items of the Psychological Vulnerability, Specific Cognitions and Motor and Physiological scales showed significant differences in their scores after the intervention; (b) comments from the previous evaluation reflect concern about performing in public and symptoms of MPA; (c) an acquisition of adaptive coping techniques and methods is achieved; and (d) the discussion group values the experience positively. The analyzed program is proposed as a simple and brief strategy to contribute to the control of the AIM.