A Review of the Approaches to the Management of Tension and Stage Fright in Music Performance

There is considerable evidence that stage fright, like all other forms of anxiety is multifaceted. I In addition to partially independent somatic, cognitive, and behavioral manifestations, stage fright seems to comprise fear of fear, fear of social disapproval, problems with distraction, and a judgmental attitude. Each form of stage fright may be best treatable by a specific intervention. Relaxation therapies and drug therapy seem to target somatic symptoms, although drug therapies may have greater potential for side effects, including some that are deleterious to performance. Some studies of such interventions do exist, but there is little knowledge of long-term effects of medication, or of interactions between medication and various psychological approaches to managing somatic manifestations of stage fright Several approaches to cognitive intervention for stage fright have been proposed, and two empirical studies suggest that they are effective. Behavioral interventions and frequent performance experience are commonly used and may have considerable beneficial effect on stage fright, but these have not as yet been empirically evaluated.