Health and Safety for Musicians
In accordance with standards mandated by our accrediting agency, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), students, faculty, and staff of the Austin Peay music program are encouraged to familiarize themselves with important information about the maintenance of health and safety within the contexts of practice, performance, teaching, and listening. (Please see the advisory documents listed below). General topics include basic information regarding the maintenance of hearing, vocal, and musculoskeletal health and injury prevention. Non-majors enrolled in courses including performing ensembles, or other curricular offerings of the Department of Music are encouraged to become familiar with these safety issues as well.
The department maintains a proactive stance toward checking decibel levels of music department events and activities to ensure safety, but we encourage all students, faculty and staff to be vigilant in identifying violations that may be unknown to us. Accordingly, with regard to hearing health, if any student, faculty, or staff member suspects that any classroom course activity/rehearsal involves sound levels beyond the acceptable level for hearing safety, he/she should see the department's administrative assistant, Mrs. Fraley, immediately. The music office has a sound meter which can be borrowed so that the precise decibel level of an activity can be documented. The department chair should immediately be notified of any apparent violation. The department chair will then take steps to ensure compliance with hearing safety standards.
Neuromusculoskeletal Health/Safety