This event will explore music as a double-edged sword. Whilst attention and development is poured into evidencing the benefit of music for health and wellbeing, there has been relatively scarce attention paid to how music causes harm, in both clinical contexts and in terms of the occupational health of music therapists and musicians working in healthcare contexts. IAMM is leading the conversation as we bring together international experts in this area to share current knowledge, develop priority areas for future work and build a network of interested researchers in this field.
We invite anyone interested in this area of work to join us for this important conversation.
Speakers will include:
Hilary Moss (Chair), Professor of Music Therapy, University of Limerick, Ireland.
She will outline her own research in the area of music and harm in clinical contexts, for example contraindications of music provision for clients, noise pollution and lack of control over music inputs.
Prof Kris Chesky
Chesky is a leading researcher of performing arts health who investigates issues at the intersection of music and health, advocating for health policy and safety standards for music students and performing artists, as well as increased specialized training for music educators to integrate research and clinical care for performing artists into education. Chesky’s groundbreaking research and advocacy have led to unprecedented health and safety accreditation standards for all schools of music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, as well as mandates for all public school band, choir, and orchestra teachers across the state of Texas to meet learning objectives regarding physical, auditory, and vocal health. He has co-authored crucial advisory materials to assist schools with implementation of these standards. Chesky’s work has also resulted in the development of specialized equipment to mitigate the occupational risks of making music. Chesky’s research areas of interest include epidemiologic studies of musician populations, biomechanics of musical performance, hearing conservation, earplug evaluation and testing, noise measurement and analysis, mental health issues in music, music therapy, ergonomics, and health education policy in the performing arts. Chesky joined Johns Hopkins University as a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in 2023 from the University of North Texas.
Lori F. Gooding, PhD, MT-BC
Lori F. Gooding, PhD, MT-BC, is Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Area Coordinator for Music Education and Music Therapy at Florida State University. She has explored various topics related to music and harm, including occupational hazards for music therapists and burnout. She is currently exploring mental health among music therapy and other music majors, with hopes to inform proactive strategies and policies to support students across their degree programs.
We invite others with interest in this area to contribute at the event.
Please also take a moment to complete this survey on occupational health risks and clinical harm within music therapy contexts.
https://unioflimerick.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cx0dAkuYDC9biwS