Portland State University offers new piano program - Items of Interest - Brief Article

American Music Teacher, April-May, 2003

Portland State University's (PSU) Department of Music has created a new degree program, "Coordinate Movement Program for Pianists," to help pianists avoid neuromuscular disorders and injuries.

This program promotes a somatic approach to playing the piano. It is concerned with the treatment and prevention of injuries and with the improvement of performance. The program offers a curriculum designed to retrain pianists limited by pain, injury or tension while they pursue a degree option at PSU. Courses are designed to teach participants about the structure and function of the body as it applies to playing, and how to make necessary changes to become free of pain and injury.

The program is directed by Lisa Marsh, a pianist and former registered nurse experienced in retraining injured musicians. She is joined by Barbara Conable, internationally acclaimed Alexander teacher.

For more information contact Marsh at PSU, Department of Music, School of Fine and Performing Arts, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751; (503) 227-6699, fax: (503) 725-8215; pdx00586@pdx.edu.