PERFORMING ARTS MEDICINE DAY SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD APRIL 28

Office of News and Media Relations
Gale Smith
Special to the Rice News

The nagging ache in your thumb; the stabbing pain in your forearm, neck or back; or the scratchiness in your throat can be a sign of a repetitive movement injury or overuse of vocal cords.  Performing artists know these types of injuries all too well.  They will be the focus of an interactive day of music and learning during Performing Arts Medicine Day, a collaborative effort between the Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) and Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.  The symposium will be held at from 9 a.m. to  5 p.m. April 28 in the Duncan Recital Hall in Alice E. Pratt Brown Hall.

“We all know athletes rely on physical dexterity to perform well, but performing artists undertake just as much, if not more, of a vigorous regimen of training and conditioning,” according to Richard Stasney, voice specialist and CPAM founder.

CPAM physicians will discuss injury prevention and treatment specific to musicians and vocalists.  Topics include preventing problems related to repetitive movement; music and the brain; the anatomy, physiology and care of the voice; nutrition; and overcoming psychological challenges related to performance anxiety.

“The demands on a performing artist’s body can lead to serious medical issues,” said Robert Yekovich, dean of the Shepherd School of Music. “One of our goals is to teach students and educators what they can do to maintain their overall health and prevent such injuries as they progress throughout their careers.”

Richard Wainerdi, president of the Texas Medical Center, will participate in opening and closing remarks, and Methodist CPAM physicians and Shepherd School faculty members will join in a panel discussion at the end of the day.  Attendees will also enjoy a piano performance by Robert Freeman, the Susan Menefee Ragan Regents Professor in Fine Arts at the University of Texas in Austin.

The symposium is directed toward music students, parents of young musicians, educators, and recreational and professional musicians.  The event is free but registration is required.  Parking is available in the Alice Pratt Brown Lot/West Lot 1, located through Entrance 18 on Rice Blvd. .