Performing in the Absence of Debilitating Anxiety: A Qualitative Analysis from the Perspective of Professional Western Classical Ensemble Musicians
Thomas J. Nicholl, Maree J. Abbott · 2026
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Description
Thomas J. Nicholl and Maree J. Abbott interview professional classical musicians who perform without crushing anxiety, in a 2026 qualitative study. Performance anxiety is often treated as part of the job, and most work studies those who suffer it. Six ensemble players, three women and three men, told how they think and feel before and during concerts, and the team sorted the talks into themes.
All six knew anxiety early in their careers, then built calm through repeated playing and the good pull of others. They lean on firm technical, performance, and mental skills, plus a strong sense of why they play. On stage they describe feeling bound up with the music itself, close to fellow players, and turned outward toward the hall. The authors urge training that grows such values-led preparation in anxious players.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Thomas J. Nicholl, Maree J. Abbott |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 58 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |