Fitness expert to discuss physical demands on musicians

Music is a demanding discipline, says Frank Jeney, and practitioners must keep healthy to perform at their peak.

Fitness coordinator at the St. Denis athletic centre, Jeney will discuss how to prevent injuries in his presentation, “The importance of stretching and strengthening for musicians,” in the Music Building’s Recital Hall on Wednesday, February 1, at 4 p.m.

“People typically don’t realize how much their body is being used, not just as a result of the physical strain, but the mental part as well,” he says.

He uses himself as an example – a beginning piano player, he notes the rigours of the instrument are unnatural.

“You’re sitting bolt upright, keeping your arms in the same static position, flexing your fingers. If you’re not used to it, it can be uncomfortable.”

He says stretches and motion exercises should be part of every musical warm-up routine.

“When you see backstage video of top professional musicians, they are making these preparations,” says Jeney. “It’s definitely something they’re doing at the highest level, so we should be working to do it at every level.”

As part of the School of Music’s Take 4 series, this event is free and open to the public.

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