RSM and BAPAM Healthy Practice Webinar Series

We are delighted to be able to announce the next set of webinars within our Healthy Practice Webinar Series. Expanding on some of the subjects discussed during the initial series, as well as feedback received from attendees and recent patterns in our grant giving, the next set of sessions will consider aspects of musicians’ mental and physical health, for those who are working, as well as those who are retired.

The success of our webinars has also enabled opportunities to partner with academic research projects, to consider in more detail subjects raised at the Playing on the Edge webinar in March 2021, and the focused support of brass musicians, following the launch of our Philip and Ursula Jones Fund.

For full details of upcoming sessions, please click here.

2022 – Past sessions

Anatomy for Musicians – 22 June

Improving your breathing, posture and embouchure can all improve your performance and longevity, while reducing the risk of injury. Dr Alan Watson and Dr Sarah Upjohn discussed the anatomical keys for musicians to get the best out of their playing.

Mouth Health for Musicians – 11 May

Osteopath Michael Mehta and dentist Jo Downs explained more about the keys to a happy healthy mouth, and how you can alleviate any issues that may hinder performance.

The Psychology of Sleep – 20 April
The focus, dedication and precision required for music making means being well rested is paramount. In this webinar, Dr Gabriella Romano discussed the key benefits of making the most of your sleep, so that you can excel as a musician.

Perfectionism and Recovery in the Moment – 23 March
Many musicians have perfectionist attributes which can affect their performances. This webinar looked at what perfectionism is and how we can take a different view on being perfect, including how to recover after making a mistake in the midst of a performance, with speakers Lucie Clements and Tony Alcock.

Rehabilitation Post-Operation – 2 March
Oesteopath Michael Mehta and surgeon Mark Philips discussed rehab, specifically recovery of movement for musicians, pain management, mobility, flexibility, strength, balance, coordination and more, with a particular focus on hand surgery.

Tinnitus in Musicians and Hearing Conservation – 24 February
Audiologist Rob Shepheard reviewed the key issued around tinnitus, what the causes, symptoms and treatments are and as a means of defining a possible research project.

Sustaining A Career Into Old Age – 2 February
Presented by a rheumatologist, psychiatrist and an optometrist, this session looked at the different signs and symptoms of ageing and what we might be able to do to mitigate them in order to sustain a career in music as we age.

Imposter Syndrome – 26 January
This webinar looked at what imposter syndrome is, why we might doubt ourselves despite our abilities, education and experience and how we can start to change our thinking to not let thoughts of self-doubt sabotage our playing and performance.

Healthy Brass Players – 19 January
This webinar reviewed the key health issues for brass players as a means of defining a possible research project.

2021 – Past sessions

Performance Optimisation: an introduction to optimal focus and the adoption of an external focus as a process – 17 December
Attentional focus study is well integrated into elite sport coaching and used with professional dancers as complementary techniques to enhance and optimise their performances. As attentional focus is one of the three foundational elements of a successful holistic movement, its research evidence-base and implementation can effectively and accessibly be integrated into an artistic practice. This webinar provided an introduction to Optimal Focus and the implementation of an External Attentional Focus in optimising performance, and promoting wellbeing.

Health Promotion and Health Education: What Works – 7 December
How do we know if health education is making an impact on musicians’ health? What do we need to put in place to make more of an impact? This session focussed on how we can start to change health promotion in the performing arts, looked at what barriers there are stopping musicians from being healthy including environmental and social factors and drew on recent research findings on the topic.

Musicians’ Fitness with Drusilla Redman – 10 November
Scientific research has long supported the concept that exercise and movement can help to reduce the effects of anxiety and depression. This webinar explained what happens to the body when it is feeling anxious and how being motivated to exercise will help to reduce those symptoms. Attendees learned about the five levels of fitness and explored the ways to exercise. (We don’t all want to be Olympic athletes (5!) but somewhere between levels 1 and 4. There is a fitness level for all of us!)

Physical Health for Musicians – 17 September
The session focussed on freedom and balance with musicians’ instruments and explored time and energy management in practice to facilitate learning – including warm up and warm down ideas. The body-mechanics of instrumental technique was discussed, as were ideas about developing a calm, confident and coordinated state for performance.

Musicians’ Hands – 16 June and 8 September
This session focused on preventing common hand injuries.

Hypermobility – 9 June and 15 September
This webinar expanded participants’ understanding of hypermobility and its potential risk to health, and provided management strategies and treatments.

Mental Practice Skills: A Performance Psychologist Approach – 19 May and 10 September
This session investigated performance psychology, and creative and mental practice to enhance performance.

Physical Health for String Players – 12 May
This session focused on physical health and injury prevention for string players using evidence-based practical skills and included guidance on poise, alignment and symmetry, gentle warm ups and practising strategies.

Neurodiversity with Attitude is Everything – 28 April
Attitude is Everything explored the barriers, challenges and potential solutions for providing a professional creative environment for all participants, with a focus on neurodiversity.

Musicians’ Posture – 14 April and 25 June
This webinar explored posture, cumulative loading, stretching through demonstration of playing analysis and discussed what it means to be fit to play.

Playing on the Edge – A Guide for Orchestral Musicians – 17 March
This webinar discussed safety and hazards on stage, in the pit, on tour and during COVID-19 from a legal, psychological and health and safety management perspective.

Physical Health for Woodwind and Brass – 10 March
This session examined injury prevention, embouchure and the jaw, and COVID-19 guidance.

Performance Anxiety and Conscious Breathing – 24 February and 28 May
This workshop began with an introduction to understanding performance anxiety, and discussed signs, symptoms, and how to manage anxiety with a focus on breathing techniques.

Managing Musicians’ Pain – 17 February and 7 July
This webinar focused on prevention, treatments and management of chronic pain for musicians.

Hearing Health with Finola Ryan and Dame Evelyn Glennie – 27 January and 21 April
Hearing issues are one of the main health concerns for musicians. This workshop included an introduction to the ear and hearing, examples of how the ear may be injured by occupational and recreational noise, along with practical tips for keeping ears healthy and advice about seeking help if you experience signs of a hearing disorder.

Vocal Health & the Effects of COVID-19 for Singers – 13 January
Presented by Vocal Rehabilitation Coach Sarah Wright-Owens, this session focused on evidence-based practical skills and drew from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Participants learnt how to avoid vocal problems and identify the signs and symptoms if they do occur, how to manage issues, promote good health, and where to go for help.