INJURY PREVENTION FOR ORGANISTS

Katelyn Emerson, speaker
Any posture that we hold for extended periods of time or a repetitively performed physical activity can potentially lead to discomfort or even injury. We musicians are especially prone to this: studies indicate that 60–90% of musicians have experienced musculoskeletal pain that affects their playing, with surveys of organists showing that about 90% of us have or will experience playing-related discomfort at some point during our careers. Awkward postures, tension, practice habits, and playing technique are frequent contributors to this, and we can train ourselves to ‘check in’ on the state of and ways in which we are using our bodies to make changes that lead to better techniques or tension release. This workshop/masterclass covers fundamentals of injury prevention and recovery, and offers hands-on technique and practice suggestions. Please bring any particular concerns, difficult spots, or ideas you have along, as there will be opportunities to play!