Performance Anxiety as Experienced by Singers of Classical Repertoire: A Comparative study of stage fright symptoms as synonymous with the sources of anxiety present in infancy and early childhood development
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Authors
Hill, Beatrice
Issue Date
1988
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This descriptive study, based on the psychodynamic theories of Margaret Mahler and Donald Winnicott, explores the sources and symptoms of performance anxiety as experienced by professional singers of classical repertoire. Data was elicited by interview and questionnaire. This was interpretive research, and there was no hypothesis. Instead, there were five research questions, all of which appear to be validated by the data. Findings were that most singers experience some type of performance anxiety; that singers experience altered physical, mental, and emotional states before, during, and after performing; that anxiety 40 symptoms impact upon these states; and that those participants who reported the most and the least stage-fright also reported more difficulties with early developmental issues. These conclusions were drawn by comparing the data with the existing theories and with the research questions. Recommendations for further study are: 1) More research with singers, isolating character types; 2) tracking adrenaline flow and monitoring metabolism in these types; 3) inclusion of the topic of performance anxiety in vocal pedagogy curriculums; and 4) more collaboration between singers, voice teachers, and medical and mental health professionals.