Working conditions and professional voice use by party band singers

PURPOSE:

to determine the working conditions and professional voice use of party band singers.

METHODS:

a cohort of 24 ballroom band singers (13 male and 11 female) from six ballroom bands from the city of Piracicaba, SP (Brazil). Data was obtained during Graduation prom performances and collected through on-site observation, questionnaire and interview.

RESULTS:

party band singers are submitted to difficulties about poor infrastructure, support, accommodations and food in the event venues that place vocal health at risk. Most participants notice changes in their voices during and after the event. Voice health care, habits, and behavior, as well as vocal warm-up are inadequate and insufficient. However, many positive aspects of the work are detected, such as social support and easy-going, calm, cooperative and motivating environment, as well as a positive perception of the work environment as a source of learning, experience, pleasure, satisfaction and accomplishment.

CONCLUSION:

working conditions are unfavorable to the professional use of voice and health care. This research has contributed for a better understanding of the working conditions of party band singers concerning professional voice use and vocal health care, and provides support for future speech and language therapy support and intervention for these professionals in order to promote occupational health care.

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Voice; Music; Occupational Health; Health Promotion