Music performance anxiety in ensemble rehearsals and concerts: A comparison of music and non-music major undergraduate musicians

Abstract

This study assessed music performance anxiety (MPA) in ensemble rehearsals and concerts in 278 undergraduate non-music and music majors drawn from 10 Mid-Atlantic institutions in the US to examine the prevalence and experience of MPA in non-music major undergraduates and to determine whether MPA severity differed between non-music majors and music majors. Results for undergraduate non-music majors using the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory Revised (K-MPAI-r, Kenny, 2009) revealed cognitive, somatic, affective, and behavioral symptoms. Depression, being an instrumentalist, female, and having had a music performance breakdown made significant contributions to K-MPAI-r scores; depression made the strongest unique contribution to prediction of severity of MPA. Greater self-efficacy was correlated with lower MPA for both rehearsals and concert performances. Overall, MPA and depression indicator scores for the sample were higher than other groups that have been previously evaluated with the K-MPAI-r and the same depression screen. Although ensemble rehearsals were confirmed to be less anxiety provoking than performing solo and in ensemble concerts, students reported considerable MPA during both ensemble rehearsing and ensemble performing. The relatively high rates of MPA and indications of depression in the whole sample should merit concern for music educators.