University music students' experiences of performance anxiety and how they cope with it

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lived experience of post secondary music students who experience music performance anxiety (MPA). Also, this study investigated how these students cope with MPA. Ten university-level music students participated in a series of interviews. Conten...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Owen, Thomas
Language:English
Published: University of British Columbia 2009
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2429/12467
Description
Summary:The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lived experience of post secondary music students who experience music performance anxiety (MPA). Also, this study investigated how these students cope with MPA. Ten university-level music students participated in a series of interviews. Content analysis of the data was used to identify a number of important themes. Upon examination of the data, it appears that the experience of MPA and how music students cope with MPA is varied and complex. Possible implications of this study include gaining insight into the needs of music students who seek counselling for performance anxiety as well as informing counselling interventions in general. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research will also be discussed.