skip to main content

MU and BAPAM Publish Performance Health: Guide For Instrumental and Vocal Teachers

The guide will assist musicians working in education and teaching to support their students’ health and wellbeing.

Published: 14 February 2023 | 11:23 AM
Multi-coloured wooden blocks spelling 'Good Health'
Musicians who teach music are often the first person a student will turn to when there is a problem. Image credit: Shutterstock.

Good health and wellbeing of musicians is key to a sustainable career, but three-quarters of musicians have health problems that can impact their creative work, ranging from minor inconveniences to career-limiting conditions. Many of these conditions could be prevented by healthy practice.

Musicians who teach music are often the first person a student will turn to when there is a problem, so the MU and the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) have developed the Performance Health Guide for Instrumental and Vocal Teachers.

The guide will give advice on how to minimise health problems by adopting healthy routines into your own and your students’ practice, regardless of age. It will also help you to recognise potential problems and know when to refer to clinical experts.

Start the conversation about health and well-being.

View the guide

Want to find out more?

Register to join our online webinar with Dr Pippa Wheble and Claire Cordeaux, Director at BAPAM, as they discuss performance health on Tuesday 28 February 4:00pm - 5:00pm.

The guide has been jointly produced by the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and the MU. The P.E.R.F.O.R.M.A.N.C.E. mnemonic was developed for BAPAM by Dr Christina Siomos.

About BAPAM

BAPAM delivers expert health and wellbeing services for those working in the performing arts across the UK. BAPAM connects those working and studying in the performing arts with clinical specialists in this field, offering free clinical assessments. It ensures that performance professionals receive the best possible information and training to prevent poor health. It also provides care when things go wrong, to support healthy careers and aid recovery from illness or injury.

 

 

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Brighton pier at sunrise.

Meet the MU at The Great Escape Festival 2025

The MU will once again be present at The Great Escape Festival, supporting members and engaging with key industry topics between Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 May in Brighton.

Published: 08 May 2025

Read more about Meet the MU at The Great Escape Festival 2025
Exterior long shot of Caird Hall, Dundee., where Congress takes place.

MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025

Last week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) with MU Delegates Ronnie MacNiven, Ben Lunn and Calum Baird, who discussed the value of music education, fair work for musicians, the need for stability of the arts, and more. All of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 06 May 2025

Read more about MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025