UK college appoints lecturer in musicians’ mental health
mainThe Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester claims it is the first conservatoire to appoint a lecturer in musicians’ health and wellbeing.
Students have been informed that Sara Ascenso, a clinical psychologist who has trained as a pianist, will take up her appointment in January.
From the RCM website:
Sara Ascenso is a PhD candidate focusing on musicians’ mental health. She is a chartered clinical psychologist (University of Lisbon) and holds a BMus in piano performance from the National Superior Orchestra Academy of the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon, and an MSc in Performance Science from the RCM. Before starting her PhD research, Sara maintained regular professional activity as a psychologist both in clinical settings and within diverse educational projects and as a collaborative pianist and piano teacher.
Music schools have long been known to have very high levels of mental ill-health.
A position like Ms. Ascenso’s at the Manchester College should be established at all higher-level music schools.
Those who have never been professional musicians cannot conceive the amount of stress the job entails.
I have been, and I do.
Bravo RNCM and buena suerte Ms. Ascenso!
This is an excellent appointment. It’s not so long ago that musician’s health was barely thought about (no hearing protection, no physiotherapy, no voice health-training/therapy). It would be a shame that this sort of post can’t be created in other areas of the cultural sector. When arts and culture is under such a squeeze, the wise use of meagre funds might be to pool resources for this type of post over a number of institutions.
With all that said, it is still amazing to me that politicians still have not realised the benefits of the arts to wider society, particularly in relation to mental health issues across the age spectrum. I’m sure that there’s a virtuous circle to be explored here.