"One goal - many paths". Body-oriented approaches in music

SMM -- The Swiss Society for Music Medicine (SMM) brings together under one roof specialists from the fields of medicine and a wide range of therapeutic approaches, as well as scientists and professional musicians. A central concern of the SMM is to encourage constructive dialog between these groups. However, it also wants to help musicians who are struggling with specific health restrictions or are simply interested in putting their music-making on a sustainably healthy footing.

We are proud to have doctors in our circle who can offer medical solutions for music-related illnesses at the highest level. The SMM also points those seeking help from the world of music in the direction of low-threshold therapy services. The variety of methods, schools and techniques in the therapy jungle can be confusing. The decision in favor of a technique is often a matter of chance - usually based on personal encounters or recommendations. The prerequisite for therapy should always be a medical diagnosis. The right choice then determines whether success is achieved, but also whether damage can be avoided due to the wrong choice

With the 18th symposium, the SMM would like to offer those seeking help the opportunity to get to know some of the most important body-oriented approaches in music in one place and at the same time take the opportunity to talk to their representatives without obligation. The therapists should also be able to approach each other on this day. The following forms of body-oriented approaches to music are expected to be discussed: Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Dispokinesis, Functional Kinetics FBL, Klein-Vogelbach, Yoga, Pilates, Spiral Dynamics and Schlaffhorst Andersen breathing therapy.

The symposium will open with an unusual world premiere. It is a work by saxophonist Fabio da Silva, who was awarded an Ober-Gerwern Master's Prize for his outstanding Master's thesis at Bern University of the Arts (HKB). "Rugueux 10" for baritone saxophone, alto flute and pre-produced sounds is a low-frequency performance in which the baritone saxophone and alto flute approach very specific frequencies microtonally. Together with the soundtrack, a play between tension and relaxation, concentration and distraction is created. The use of different multiphonics creates stronger and weaker frictions.

Various recognized and proven forms of body-oriented approaches in music will be presented on stage and at tables at the 18th SMM symposium. Keynote speakers will be Klaus Scherer (music psychologist and founder of the Geneva Center Interfacultaire en Sciences Affectives) and Eberhard Seifert (medical director of the Department of Phoniatrics at the University Clinic and Polyclinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Head and Neck Surgery at the Inselspital Bern).