Music Physiology & Musicians’ Medicine

• In addition to your main artistic subject, you can choose a minor subject from the 3rd semester onwards. The workload of ECTS points remains the same, as you do not choose an elective module and have slight savings in other scientific subjects.
• In the minor subject Music Physiology, we offer study content on the topics of music and health, practicing, preparing for performances and dealing with music performance anxiety as well as bodywork in group and individual lessons. You will also gain an insight into research methods.
• We have structured the minor in Music Physiology into four modules with physiological and music-psychological foundations that are strongly practice-orientated.
• See the degree plan (pdf) (this file is not barrier-free) and the module catalog (pdf) (this file is not barrier-free) for detailed information (in German).
• The entrance examination consists of a colloquium on motivation and prior knowledge for the minor in Music Physiology (duration: 10 minutes).
• As part of the Freiburg Center for Music Research and Teaching, Bachelor of Arts students at the University of Freiburg can also apply for a minor in Music Physiology; students of human medicine may also participate.
   

• In the 6th and 7th semesters, you can take Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine as an elective module with a workload of 12 ECTS credits.
• We have organized the elective module Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine into three courses. In seminars, group lessons or lectures, current topics from music physiology, subject areas such as body-orientated approaches, psyche and health as well as music physiology in artistic practice are covered. Seminars such as »Music performance anxiety«, »Practicing methods«, »Feldenkrais« and many more are available.
• See the module catalog (pdf) (this file is not barrier-free) for detailed information (in German).
• If you are interested, please register for the elective module with Prof. Dr. Dr. Claudia Spahn. 

• In the Bachelor of Music, the subject Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine is a compulsory subject offered to all students in the artistic-educational profile and/or with voice as their main subject.
• Here we offer the seminars »Health in instrumental teaching« and »Voice physiology«, which you can take in the 2nd or 3rd semester.
• Information on the courses can be found in the digital course catalog under »Freiburger Institut für Musikermedizin«. You are welcome to register via the Glarean learning platform.

All degree plans and study regulations for the Bachelor of Music can be found on this page (in German).

• The Freiburg Institute for Musicians' Medicine (FIM) has introduced a Master's degree program in Music with Music Physiology as a major subject in the winter semester 2023/2024. We have developed the program for musicians who want to improve the conditions for art, health and resilience - scientifically, practically, artistically and creatively - in music-related professional fields and for themselves.
• The 4-semester Master's program Music Physiology combines scientific principles and practical application throughout. We teach the content in classroom teaching (small groups and individual settings) and through self-study tasks. In the third semester, a professional internship is completed, with which an individual specialization is desired. The Master's program concludes with a scientific thesis or an artistic-scientific lecture-recital.
• See the degree plan (pdf) (this file is not barrier-free) and the module catalog (pdf) (this file is not barrier-free) for detailed information (in German). Click on the FAQ if you would like to find out more about the program content.
• The prerequisite for the Master's degree program »Music Physiology« is a successfully completed music-related Bachelor's degree. The following requirements are set for the entrance examination (duration: 30-40 minutes):
  a) Artistic presentation (app. 10-15 minutes): instrumental and/or vocal performance of works from different styles.
  b) Scientific presentation (app. 5-10 minutes): short presentation of a freely chosen scientific topic from the field of music physiology.
  c) Interview on the submitted application documents (app. 15 minutes).
  d) Letter of motivation: A letter of motivation (app. 2,500 characters including spaces) must be submitted with the application in which the applicant explains why he/she is applying for this degree program at the University of Music Freiburg.
• Click here for further information on registration and entrance examination (dates, formal requirements). 

• Students in the Master's program in Music of all majors can attend theoretical-scientific and practice-oriented courses from the subject Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine in the compulsory elective module/area.
• Information on the courses can be found in the digital course catalog  under »Freiburger Institut für Musikermedizin«. You are welcome to register via the Glarean learning platform.  
  
   

All degree plans and study regulations for the Master of Music can be found on this page (in German).

The subject of Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine has existed for around 50 years. In the breadth of the subject area, both healthy processes in music-making and their health disorders are researched, treated and taught in teaching and further education.
The field of music physiology deals with the physical and psychological processes that take place when making music. Musicians are at the center of this. By imparting and applying basic knowledge of music physiology in artistic and pedagogical practice, music physiology creates the basis for fulfilling and healthy music-making, in which psychological, physical and social aspects are given equal consideration. 
While music physiology is dedicated to the processes of healthy music-making, musicians’ medicine deals with the diagnosis, treatment and therapy of musician's health problems. These can be both physical and psychological. Musicians’ medicine is practiced by specialized physicians and therapists. 
The transitions between music physiology and musicians’ medicine are fluid and combine in health promotion and prevention for musicians. Music physiology and musicians’ medicine therefore form a joint specialist field. In the social context, the field of music physiology & musicians' medicine also promotes and researches the health-promoting effects of making music. 
Music therapy, on the other hand, is an independent therapeutic profession. It is used in particular in psychosomatics, psychiatry and neurology and uses therapeutic forms of music-making and listening to music for rehabilitation and health restoration.

Making music, whether practicing or performing, demands a high level of performance from both the body and the mind. Music physiology can lead to an improved understanding of the physical and mental processes involved in playing and singing, and can promote health in a sustainable way. 
In daily music-making practice, applied knowledge about the processes of practicing, communication, personal effort and the neuroscientific foundations of learning can greatly improve artistic development. Music physiology is therefore a fundamental subject in professional music education alongside music theory, musicology and music pedagogy.

The subject of music physiology covers all topics that are important for the performance of music. The central questions are:

• How can practice be organized based on scientific findings?
• How can I best prepare for my next performance?
• How can I promote my body and its movements in a particularly positive way?
• How can I communicate with my fellow players in a positive way?
• How can I convey healthy and joyful music-making to other musicians? 
• How can I stand up for sustainability and respectful behavior as a musician? 

Overall, the course content reflects the physiological and psychological aspects of music-making as well as social, artistic, pedagogical and scientific issues. 
 

The Minor and Master's study programs in Music Physiology and their degrees are unique in Germany and therefore represent an outstanding qualification.

• Bachelor of Music: The minor in Music Physiology is taken as a minor subject as part of the undergraduate Bachelor of Music program. The minor subject is shown on the Bachelor's certificate (B.Mus.) with a final grade and indicates an additional qualification.
• Master of Music: The major in Music Physiology is completed with a Master of Music (M.Mus.). 

The Master's program with a major in Music Physiology combines scientific principles and practical application throughout. The 3-semester major module covers the topics of practicing, performance and ergonomic adaptation when playing and singing from the perspective of training and neuroscience, psychosomatics and music psychology as well as applied music and voice physiology. The content of the main subject is reflected upon, tested and applied in the »Music Lab« in the »Artistic Practice« module. As a Master of Music, the program places a strong emphasis on artistic development. Preparation for performances and auditions with individual counselling also takes place as part of the Music Lab. 
In addition, various areas of application are covered in 2-semester compulsory modules from the perspective of health promotion and prevention. Musicians' medicine topics are also included here. There is also a module on communication and knowledge transfer centered around the topic of health in music culture and society. 
Another important focus is the application of music physiology content in specific professional fields, from which the internship in the third semester in the individually chosen area is derived. 
Teaching the fundamentals of music physiological research is another important focus of the degree program and can prepare students for a doctorate. 

The demand for experts in music physiology is continuously growing. As a music physiologist, you can lead workshops, seminars and courses in the professional and amateur music sector as an expert on the topics of healthy music-making, communication and performance preparation, effective practicing, resilience and health. The subject is also becoming institutionally anchored through new job offers at music universities and orchestras. Graduates in Music Physiology & Musicians' Medicine can be contact persons for health issues in the orchestra. The Master's in Music Physiology is also an interesting and important additional qualification in pedagogical fields. The degree can lead to music physiological research (e.g. as part of a doctorate) and qualify students for an academic career in the field of music physiology and musicians’ medicine. In each case, the findings are integrated into personal artistic or pedagogical activities. In short: the career prospects are as open as they are varied and are constantly growing. 

• Music physiology further training (institutional/free programs)
• Music physiological research
• Agent for music physiology in professional cultural institutions
• Agent for music physiology in the field of amateur music
• Educational health programs at music schools
• Academic career in the subject at music academies and institutes
• Creation of new occupational fields

The degree program offers me space and a place for reflection and a healthy feedback culture. Theory and artistic work interlock perfectly; the study content always gives me new impulses for my own playing, practicing and performance.

Max, violin

I particularly like the fact that I can integrate this degree program well into my everyday life as a freelance musician and, as an ambassador for the subject, I can also help shape important paths in this new professional field. I am excited to see how the subject develops and what new occupational fields can be created in a changing classical and cultural sector.

Samira, harp