WOU: Curriculum Request Archives

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Nature of course request C02609 :

New course

400/500 course


First term offered : Fall 2013
Course Prefix&Number	Descriptive Title	Credits/Hours
MUS 440/540	Performance Anxiety for Musicians	3 -

Abbreviation for Class Schedule(20 spaces)
Perf Anxiety for Mus

Catalog Description:
This course introduces the causes and effects of performance anxiety among musicians and seeks to provide methods for coping with the stresses of performance. The diverse needs of the participants will be of foremost importance. It may be repeated for credit.

Course Goal and Objectives:
The goal of the course is to inform the performer�s lives by understanding the causes and effects of anxiety, then to offer a variety of solutions for individual use. The main objective of the course is for the participants to become more fluent and comfortable when performing. Suggestions for both mental and physical preparation, in addition to musical preparation, will be included. Objectives will vary from individual to individual, depending upon the specific needs of each person.

Justification for adding the course (e.g. alignment with other institutions, program revision, etc.):
For several years, I have taught a section on performance anxiety in MUS 405, then more recently in MUS 305. Students have long requested that we offer a more in-depth and long term course to deal with the issues around anxiety. There is significant need and significant interest in the course. It will be an upper division music elective, open to any upper level student or graduate student in the department. This type of course is offered in many music departments, including Julliard, the University of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Indiana.

Faculty and facilities needed:
none in addition to what we have

Brief Course outline:
Performance anxiety is a complex topic that involves both how we think and how we feel. The results of it may range from mildly discomforting to completely paralyzing. The course will begin with a discussion of cognitive patterns and distortions that negatively affect performance. Those distortions may be completely logical, yet not completely rational. How to replace those patterns with realistic new thoughts will be the next focus of attention. In order to accomplish this part of the course, each student will be required to do an effective self-evaluation and assessment. This may involve exploration of the reasons that one performs and the expectations that are embedded into those reasons. Next, the process of identifying physiological characteristics of performance anxiety will be discussed. Many stress reactions occur and those must be identified in order to understand what is happening in the body. Looking at relaxation and breathing techniques as they relate to musical performance will be introduced and practiced. Current information from neuroscientists, clinical psychologists, and professional musicians will be presented. Tools for use during performance itself will be the final phase of the course. The ability to do self-assessment will become paramount as the course progresses and a gradual ramping up of performance becomes necessary. How does self-assessment differ from self-criticism? What is the role of self-assessment in helping to solve anxiety around performance? Students will be required to perform in various situations that meet their levels of coping skills. These may be very non-threatening at first but will grow in levels of stress as the term progresses. This course will be a combination of learning in the classroom and experiencing on stage. GRADUATE STUDENTS will be required to perform in more concerts and to document their findings in a written article. Additional requirements for reading will be necessary as well. Books for the course will include Notes from the Green Room by Salmon and Meyer, Controlling Stage Fright: Presenting Yourself to Audiences from One to One Thousand by Paul Desberg, Incognito by David Eagleman, and BulletProofMusician.com by Noa Kageyama.

Approval Queue C02609

Step	Approver	Decision	Timestamp
1 - Department	Diane Baxter	Approved	April 06 2013

2 - Division	Scott Grim	Approved	April 09 2013

3 - Division Curriculum	Jodie Garrison	Approved	April 11 2013

5 - Graduate Committee	Kimberly Jensen	Approved	April 16 2013

5 - Curriculum Committee	Thaddeus Shannon	Approved	April 16 2013

6 - Faculty Senate	Keller Coker	Approved	April 18 2013

7 - Dean	Diane Tarter	Approved	April 19 2013
Comments: How many times could this be repeated for credit? Up to 6 credits? Up to 9 credits? Description is unclear, and the space for credit hours indication on this form may not accommodate another number, or may have dropped the upper end of the range of credits you intend.
8 - Provost	Stephen Scheck	Approved	April 20 2013
Comments: Approve as one, 3-unit course, not subject to repeating. This is what the narrative implies (e.g., "...offer a more in-depth and long term course..." If not the case, the department should submit a correction through the curricular process.

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