Abstract
ObjectiveThe coronavirus pandemic affects all areas of life. Performing arts and music studies have also experienced considerable changes, with university closures and a fluctuating return to normal and more limited operations. Prior studies detail the impact of the pandemic on college students, but we do not yet know what specific consequences it has for music students. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on music students’ health, practicing behavior, and everyday life.MethodsIn July 2020, we conducted an online survey of 80 students enrolled in performance and music education programs at a German music university and compared these data with data from a survey of 75 students at the same music university carried out in summer 2019.ResultsThe survey revealed that the coronavirus pandemic led to a decrease in practicing hours and an increase of stressful thoughts and feelings. Students were mostly satisfied with Corona-measures taken by the university. Of analyzed determinants, only general fear of health problems was identified as a significant predictor of mental health status. Mental health status did not significantly differ between students surveyed in 2019 and 2020.ConclusionKnowledge about the specific challenges the pandemic poses for music students can help conservatories to better respond to the needs of their students. Specifically, this study will inform future measures supporting music students in coping with difficult situations like a pandemic.
Highlights
In addition to the general stressors experienced by many during the coronavirus pandemic, music students had to deal with specific stressors
Our first research question was: RQ1: What is the situation of music students during the coronavirus pandemic with respect to a) infection status, belonging to a risk group or caring for someone belonging to a risk group, b) assessment of the probability and risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, c) playing-related pain, d) daily practicing time, e) mental health status, f) a possible loss of earnings and financial distress, g) giving digital music lessons or playing virtual concerts, and h) assessment of the university’s measures and handling of the coronavirus pandemic
Concerning sample characteristics, students enrolled in performance training differed from students in music education training only regarding their first citizenship, with performance majors having a higher rate of students with another first citizenship than German than music education majors
Summary
In addition to the general stressors experienced by many during the coronavirus pandemic (e.g., social isolation, potential loss of earnings, or fear of infection), music students had to deal with specific stressors. Chamber music, and choir singing are restricted, and public concerts and performances are impossible. Intense goal directed practicing and mentoring during music studies is absolutely necessary to attain artistic goals and win auditions or competitions (which are almost all canceled), meaning that students fear the “loss” of a critical year of development. Financial issues are an additional cause of worries (e.g., Sahu, 2020), as well as a general societal and government neglect of cultural interests (Botstein, 2020) leading students to perhaps increasingly question the meaningfulness of studying music
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