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August 14, 2003 Music industry supports musician’s health initiative DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas College of Music has secured $60,000 from organizations within the music industry including the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that awards the Grammy’s, to develop a nationally implemented health communication module for music schools across the country. A $30,000 grant has been received from NARAS, together with $15,000 from the International Music Products Association and $15,000 from the International Foundation for Music Research. These grants are in addition to $20,000 previously received from the National Endowment for the Arts. During the next year, the Texas Center for Music and Medicine will organize task force groups in four areas — physical health, mental health, audiological health, and vocal health, — to create core content for the communication module. The task force members will present that content at a conference organized by the Texas Center for Music and Medicine, the Performing Arts Medical Association and the UNT Health Science Center Office of Professional and Continuing Education in Fall 2004. “This funding ensures that we will be able to
draw together top scholars in their field to discuss
musician’s health and create a communication
module that really makes music students and teachers
aware that while music is a critical, positive part
of our culture, there are risks associated with performing
music just as there are risks associated with playing
sports,” said Kris Chesky, research director
for the center. The National Association of Schools of Music, which accredits more than 500 schools of music, recently added a recommendation to its accreditation guidelines encouraging member schools to provide health information that promotes awareness about and prevention of performance injuries. The NASM is serving as a resource and consultant on the project. Details about the conference dates, location and program can be found at www.unt.edu/hpsm. Directed by Drs. Kris Chesky and Bernard Rubin, the Texas Center for Music and Medicine was established to study, treat and prevent disorders related to learning and performing music. The center comprises educators, researchers and clinicians within the UNT System, including faculty from the College of Music, the College of Arts and Sciences and the UNT Health Science Center, who conduct interdisciplinary research and provide clinical treatment to musicians in the Metroplex. The center’s clinical and research programs address health issues related to hearing, physical problems and mental health. Ongoing findings support the concern for these problem areas and show that preventative measures can be effective at reducing risk. As a result, the UNT College of Music expanded its
mission to educate students about the physical concerns
with performing and teaching music. The college now
prides itself on its health awareness and prevention
programs, specialized clinical services, and research. The College of Music encourages its students to take advantage of the center’s clinical resources, educational programs, and research initiatives. The college also offers courses in music and medicine for graduate students and has a unique music and medicine optional related field of study for students seeking a master’s or doctorate of musical arts degree. “We believe music is a critically important and immeasurably valuable part of our society. That’s why we are engaged in preparing our students for successful careers in music as performers, teachers, scholars and composers,” Scott said. “We also want our students to have long careers and to be informed music educators, so we pay attention to the effects and potential harm that can be caused by the stress of demanding too much of the body or using it incorrectly. After all, a musician’s body plays a role equal to the instrument in the ability to make music,” he said. Texas Center for Music & Medicine | Services | Research | Education | News | Faculty & Directors Questions, comments and corrections for this site:
KCHESKY@music.unt.edu
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