An Assessment of Anxiety in Instrumental and Vocal Performances

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of anxiety in musical performance and assessed the quality of subjects' performances under enhanced and reduced anxious situations. Ninety subjects, 15 in each of five instrumental areas and one vocal area, performed one composition of their choice in an enhanced and a reduced anxiety condition. All performances were recorded. Three adjudicators evaluated recorded performances for musical quality. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the State-Trait Personality Inventory were administered to determine state and trait anxiety, curiosity, and anger under both performance conditions. A questionnaire was administered to collect additional data. From analyses of the data, it was found that performance condition with subjects' years of formal training was significantly related in its effect on judged performance quality (p < .05); subjects with high trait anxiety and curiosity exhibited significant increases in state anxiety and curiosity (p < .05); and subjects performing in enhanced anxiety situations exhibited significant increases in state anxiety and anger (p < .05).