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Documentary Explores Performance Anxiety Among Classical Musicians

AMHERST (MA) – On Sunday, February 25 at 4 p.m., the UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance will host a special screening of the 2016 documentary, Composed, in Bezanson Recital Hall.

Directed by Boston-based filmmaker and percussionist John Beder, Composed features musicians and mental health experts from the US and UK, including members of major US orchestras like the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and many more. The film utilizes these musicians and experts to discuss the issue of performance anxiety; what it is, why it happens, and what we can do to address it. Musicians in the film share candid stories and perspectives on what causes these fears and doubts, as well as what's worked for them to address such issues.

Following the screening will be a panel discussion and Q & A session with Mr. Beder, along with UMass music education professor and board-certified Feldenkrais practitioner Stephen Paparo and therapist/performance anxiety expert Diane Nichols. Nichols has taught a workshop on the subject at Juilliard, and was involved early on in the documentary’s development. More information about the film is available at www.composeddocumentary.com.