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Health and Wellness Information for Music Students
Music at MSU Denver takes special care in providing music students resources for physical and mental health. The Health Center at Auraria provides medical services and easily accessible medical and health education services to all students, faculty, and staff of the Auraria Campus. The MSU Denver Counseling Center offers students free individual counseling services, support groups, and mental health workshops. The MSU Denver Access Center provides students with disabilities the academic accommodations and auxiliary aids necessary to ensure equal access to all of MSU Denver’s programs, activities, and services. The offers a wide range of free mind/body physical activity classes that provide techniques for relaxation, stress-reduction, and improving posture and physical coordination.
Music at MSU Denver often brings in medical specialists and physical therapists to educate students on healthy practices within the music profession. Past workshops have included lectures on Alexander Technique and avoidance of performance-related injury by members of the Performing Arts Medicine Association.
As part of their initial lesson experience and throughout their studies, students receive instruction from their private instructor and/or ensemble director on vocal, neuroskeletal, and hearing health, as well as information pertaining to resources for mental health. Students who have concerns about their vocal, neuroskeletal, or hearing health should discuss this with their private instructor, their ensemble director, their area director, or the department chair for evaluation and possible further referral for medical evaluation. Students who have concerns about their mental health should discuss this with the Access Center or the Counseling Center. Private instructors, ensemble directors, area directors, and the department chair will refer students to these resources.
A student who is diagnosed with a vocal, neuroskeletal, or hearing injury connected to the study of their instrument and presented with a rehabilitation plan from their medical specialist should discuss this with their private instructor, area director, ensemble director, and/or the department chair in order to determine if their academic instruction can serve the same goals as their treatment plan or if the student should defer academic study. Students who feel that accommodations can be made for their course of music study should contact the Access Center.
Hearing Health
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of hearing health issues, addressing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, a widespread and serious public health issue for musicians and others.
Protecting Your Hearing Health (PDF)