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Summary

The Sound Practice project was the first attempt internationally to develop sound conceptual and theoretical principles on which to frame occupational health and safety policy and practice for professional orchestral musicians. Involving a collaboration between research academics from The University of Sydney and the 8 major orchestras of Australia, the research aimed to improve occupational health of Australia’s professional orchestral musicians. The project emerged from recommendations made in the government-commissioned report ‘A New Era: Orchestras Review Report 2005' by James Strong addressing a need to tackle the unacceptably high rates of physical and psychological injury identified.

Methodology

The five-year project involved several discrete elements and phases including health assessments of orchestral musicians, the development and trial of an injury surveillance system and targeted interventions for injury prevention and management, music performance anxiety management and hearing conservation.

Additional project details can be found on the project website.

Project ID

LP11787

Status

Completed

Administering organisation

University of Sydney

Partner organisations

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Victoria

Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra

Australia Council for the Arts

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