Musicians

Stage fright is a big problem in music practice. Research among professional musicians shows that 60% of the musicians studied have stage fright of which 20% are seriously and therefore hindered in their professional career (Van Kemenade, Van Son & Van Heesch, 1998; Fehm, L. & Schmidt, K., 2006, see also Hart, 2007, chapter 4.2). Stage fright occurs at all levels: both beginners, conservatory students and top musicians. Women seem slightly more susceptible to stage fright than men, but it may also be that women are more open about this (Wilson, 1997).

As a rule, it does not automatically pass; a targeted approach can lead to a reduction of the problems. Stage fright is not only a tricky incident of the profession, it can break or prevent careers of musicians; in addition, it is threatening to the physical and mental health of those who are concerned (Salmon & Meyer, 1992).

In collaboration with GGZ Heerenveen and 'Complete Coaching', an institute for, among other things, coaching and psychotherapy, a research project was set up under the auspices of the lectorate Lifelong Learning in Music & the Arts in 2009, aimed at dealing with stress by using the HeartMath methodology for students of the Prince Claus Conservatoire. The conclusion of the research is that the HeartMath method can be recommended for students who suffer from stage fright. You can download the report here (Dutch). Since the research one of the professors has been trained to become a HeartMath trainer so that the techniques are available to the students.