Courses

Content

  • Introduction to the basics of dividing work in ways that are appropriate for the mode of expression, the stage and psychological and physical health. 
  • Basic profession-specific exercises in body awareness, posture, movement,
  • coordination, breathing and tension distribution (drawing e.g. on dispokinesis, spiral dynamics and Klein-Vogelbach’s theory of functional kinetics).
  • Introduction to career-specific learning strategies and the physiology of the brain
  • Introduction to functional anatomy and video analysis
  • A visit to the ZHdK Hand Lab and familiarization with pragmatic hand evaluation for musicians
  • Introduction to the opportunities offered by physiologically grounded teaching techniques based on qualities of (self-)guidance.

Target group

Professional musicians and music teachers. Orchestras, conservatories and music schools. Anyone interested in the Continuing Education course in Music Physiology. Anyone studying on the Course Education course for a CAS or MAS in Extended Music Education, Music Practice and Music Communication.

Certification

Music schools that have carried out courses 1–4 (see table under paragraph 4 below for an overview of courses) and offer their teachers the option of attending a certain number of music physiology advisory sessions with experts in music physiology and music and preventative medicine at ZHdK free of charge, and that hold refresher courses at least every 3 years are entitled to receive certification as a “health-promoting music school” from ZHdK and the Zurich Music Schools VZM. 

Music schools certified in music physiology and their staff and students can attend individual advisory sessions at a discounted price of CHF 140 per hour, even if the subsidies for teachers or students provided by the home school have been used up and they must pay individually. 

Overview of courses

  • 1) Introductory presentation on music physiology entitled "Musicians’ health and prevention"

    Topics and working method: 

    Recognising occupational risks, making music and practising without any pain, prevention from the outset, useful information about the structure of the body and physiological control when making music. Simple, practical exercises in body awareness and tension distribution while sitting and standing.

    Objective:

    To demonstrate preventive techniques for personal music-making and teaching practice. To familiarise participants with points of contact for music physiology and with literature on matters of music physiology. 

    Duration: 60–90 mins. Location: Music school   Number of participants: flexible   Price: from CHF 500

  • 2) General practical introductory course

    (in parallel groups if required)

    Topics and working method:

    Practical physical exercises in movement, posture, breathing, balance and coordination, and to distribute tension effectively for optimum results when playing music and performing on stage. Gaining awareness of typical healthy and unhealthy postures and patterns of movement when making music. 

    Course objective:

    To optimise self awareness, student observation and an understanding of basic psycho-physical relationships when making and teaching music.

    Duration: 3 hours   Location: Music school   Number of participants: 6–12   Price: CHF 1000

  • 3) Instrument-/voice-specific advanced courses

    (only possible after completing the general introductory course, subdivided by: upper/lower strings, brass and woodwind, keyboard instruments, guitar/electric guitar, harp, accordion, percussion, voice)

    Topics and working method: 

    Advanced course for individual instrument groups and voice. Use of the skills gained on participants’ own instruments on the introductory course. Mental, strength and relaxation exercises specific to participants’ disciplines, special ergonomic tools, answers to typical instrument-specific questions using physiologically grounded strategies.

    Course objective:

    To optimize participants’ own music and teaching skills by drawing on music physiology analysis and solutions.

    Duration: 3 hours   Location: Music school   Number of participants: 3–8   Price: CHF 1000

  • 4) Performance training for mixed groups of music students

    Topics and working method: 

    Exercises in taking a constructive approach to a performance situation and to stage fright. Building a personalized “performance choreography” Suitable breathing and physical exercises as well as support for dealing with typical physical and mental reactions to performing. Exercises to build confidence when performing and to develop personal modes of expression based on extracts from pieces of music, oral exercises, etc.

    Course objective:

    Confidence when performing in a variety of situations, preparation for exams, school concerts, competitions, etc.

    Duration: 2 x 90 mins.   Location: Music school   Number of participants: 6–8   Price:  CHF 1000

    (with an additional option to look at interrelated, complementary topics)

  • 5) One-to-one consultation session on career-specific topics with a music education physiology expert

    Supervision of lessons and/or joint work with students upon request

    Topics:

    Work-related problems and issues with posture, movement, breathing and coordination. Instrument-specific problems e.g. tension, limited movement and symptoms related to music-making.

    Communication, motivation and lesson planning. Performance ability, stage fright and stress management. Demonstrating possible training and therapy approaches and referral to relevant medical and therapeutic experts if required.

    Duration: agreed individually   Location: Music school or ZHdK   Price: CHF 180 (for schools without certification), CHF 140 (for certified schools)

  • 6) Semester course at ZHdK as a guest student

    (e.g. prevention, learning strategies and brain physiology, psycho-physiological training in playing and singing, dispokinesis, spiral dynamics)

    Duration: 1–2 hours per week on Tues./Fri. over a 16-week semester   Location: ZHdK   Price: CHF 350 (1 hour per week for a 16-week semester)

  • 7) Open day for the CAS/DAS/MAS Music Physiology

    Duration: 1 day crash course (one Friday, 9.30 am–5.00 p.m. in the spring semester)   Location: ZHdK   Price: free

  • 8) Continuing Education Music Physiology (1–5 modules)

    Duration: 1–4 years (one full Friday each semester)   Location: ZHdK  Price: see homepage/brochure

  • 9) Certification as a “health-promoting music school” by ZHdK/VZM

    Music schools must have completed the above-mentioned courses for teachers (courses 1–3) and students (course 4): 

    • Introductory presentation
    • General practical introductory course
    • Instrument-specific advanced course
    • Performance training for mixed groups  

    A certified music school will also offer its staff the option of attending a certain number of music physiology consultation sessions with experts in music physiology and music and preventative medicine at ZHdK free of charge. It will also hold refresher courses at least every 3 years.

    Duration: Specific to the school   Location: Music school/ZHdK  Price: CHF 1'200 one-off payment

Advice and course bookings

Dr. Oliver Margulies

Coordinator Information Centre Music Physiology
E-Mail
+41 43 446 51 27