Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. ~ Stephen Hawking
Many people, from all walks of life, have illnesses, afflictions or handicaps that do not prevent them from achieving their goals and having successful careers. It is indeed inspiring that people with debilitating health problems can and do achieve greatness and overcome their adversities.
Many feel composers, musicians and music people in general, live in a different world than most of the population. Perhaps they think because musicians have a special talent or ability (some feel it is God-given) they are not like “main-stream” individuals. Regarding health issues, this is not the case at all.
Musicians and composers are merely a microcosm of society in general. They are subject to all the ailments that we mere mortals endure. Yes, some disorders are more common in musicians, but in general they suffer the same diseases and afflictions as the rest of the population.
Many composers and musicians, especially in years past, were basically unhealthy and prone to all kinds of physical and emotional stresses and debilitating illnesses. Given the heavy burden of coping with pain and distress, it is truly remarkable that they were able to create and compose great, magnificent music throughout their working careers. However, some afflictions developed near the end of their careers. This explains the volume of their work that was accomplished before their health problems became serious.
Health Problems: Some common physical problems musicians have are repetitive strain injuries; caused by doing the same physical movements repeatedly. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one example. Tinnitus, and other hearing impairments, are common to musicians; probably caused by the constant level of sound they experience.
Respiratory disorders and mouth and teeth aliments are often present in wind instrument players; partially due to improper cleaning of the mouthpiece and the instrument. Musculoskeletal disorders and skin problems, among others, may contribute to career-ending disabilities. Overuse Syndrome may include Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), Bursitis, and Tendonitis. These can be caused by heavy practice, incorrect posture and lack of rest.
A study by R. Lucia entitled, Effects of Playing a Musical Wind Instrument in Asthmatic Teenagers reported that “Playing a wind instrument has the potential of being a long-term therapeutic agent for asthmatics.”
Brass instrument musicians often experience Tinnitus, ear aches, malocclusion, unrestful sleep, emotional and even psychic disorders. Percussion players are exposed to loud sounds that often leads to hearing loss.
Prevention of these disorders can be accomplished by a comprehensive education plan reducing or eliminating the negative effects of these elements. If not checked they could lead to a shortened career or even worse, a shortened life!
Contemporary Musicians/Composers with Disabilities
Some blind musicians include Ray Charles, pianist/singer who became blind by age 7; Stevie Wonder, pianist/singer was born blind; George Shearing, Jazz pianist, was born blind; Jose Feliciano, singer/guitarist was born blind; Sammy Davis Jr. singer/dancer/instrumentalist, became blind in one eye due to a car accident; and Andrea Bocelli, singer/song writer, became blind at age 12 due to an eye injury accident. Hearing impaired singers include Johnnie Ray; Michael Bolton, and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, to name just a few. Mel Tillis, the country music legend, stuttered; singer, Rosemary Clooney was bi-polar, and Cher is dyslexic. Violinist Izhak Perlman had polio.
Musicians/Composers from the Past
The deaths of J.S. Bach and George F. Handel drew the Baroque Period to a tumultuous close. Unfortunately, these two giants both went blind in their 60’s, late in their careers. Blair Sanderson, wrote “The most famous disability in music history was the deafness of Ludwig Van Beethoven.” How devastating can it be for a musician to be deaf? Beethoven’s deafness started around 1796 and by 1824 he was totally deaf. He wrote the monumental 9th Symphony while deaf. Cause of his deafness was believed to be, his inner ears were malformed with lesions; of course, that is speculation.
Beethoven said, “Yet it was impossible for me to say to people, speak louder, shout! for I am deaf! Oh, how could I possibly admit an infirmity, in the one sense, which ought to be more perfect in me than others, a sense which I possessed in the highest perfection, a perfection such as few in my profession enjoy or ever have enjoyed.”
Wolfgang Mozart contracted Rheumatic Fever in childhood. This may have contributed to illnesses, high blood pressure and stress. Two doctors may have contributed to his earl demise by blood-letting; a common practice in the 18th century. The genius Mozart died at the age of 35. He still composed over 600 works, many while he was in ill health. Just think what his contributions would have been if he had lived a normal lifespan.
Depression
Among famous composers that suffered from this ailment were: Robert Schumann; Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Sergei Rachmaninov; Hector Berlioz; Mikhail Glinka; Anton Bruckner and Charles Ives. Many of these composers, although depressed, were able to continue in their careers successfully.
Even the most invincible composers and musicians are subject to the vicissitude’s trials and tribulations of the common man. These men and others like them are examples of triumphs over their adversities.
Although he was not a musician, Stephen Hawking is an outstanding example of overcoming an incredible disability. Aworld-famous British physicist, he was one of the most beloved scientists in this generation. Hawking was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at the age of 21. He became completely paralyzed and was confined to a motorized wheelchair. Hawking defied ALS for five decades before he died in 2018 at the age of 76. Normally, ALS takes most people’s life in two to three years. Even though his body was completely paralyzed, and the disease took away his voice; that did nothing to curb his contribution to science. He said, “If you are disabled, it is probably not your fault, but it is no good blaming the world or expecting it to take pity on you. One has to have a positive attitude and must make the best of the situation that one finds oneself in if one is physically disabled. One cannot afford to be psychologically disabled as well. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
Hopefully, his advice will be uplifting to all.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.netVisit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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