Music and health

Science & Sounds 2026: Music-Based Interventions for Chronic Diseases

On November 27 and 28, 2026, the 3rd Science & Sounds Conference Hamburg will take place under the title “Music-Based Interventions for Chronic Diseases.” Under the motto “Where Music Meets Medicine,” the conference will bring together perspectives from medicine, music therapy, music medicine, and artistic practice.

The first day is planned as a specialist symposium at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). International and interdisciplinary speakers will discuss music-based interventions for chronic diseases, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the context of chronic stress among musicians.

The second day will take place as an open forum at the JazzHall of the HfMT Hamburg. It is also open to the interested public and will provide insights into current transdisciplinary research and practice. The program includes lectures, an interdisciplinary case conference, workshops, information booths, and a musical program.

Dates and Locations

Friday, November 27, 2026 – Expert Symposium “
” UKE, Erikahaus | W 29
Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg

Saturday, November 28, 2026 – Open Forum “
” HfMT Hamburg | JazzHall
Harvestehuder Weg 12, 20148 Hamburg

Registration and further information:
https://brahms-billroth-stiftung.de

A call for posters is open until November 1, 2026. Submissions can be made at:
musiktherapie@hfmt-hamburg.de

Continuing education credits for the event have been applied for with, among others, the German Music Therapy Association and the Hamburg Medical Association.

May 11, 2026

Voice & Health in Dialogue

On May 11, 2026, the event “Voice & Health in Dialogue” brought together medical, educational, and artistic perspectives on the singing voice.

→ View the recap at
→ View the FAQs on Voice and Health

What is it about?

The focus is on health issues that play a role in musicians' day-to-day studies - for example

• Physical strain (e.g. overloading of arms, shoulders or neck)
• Psychosocial issues (e.g. stage fright, stress and recovery)

Each session consists of two parts:

1. Theoretical introduction
   Basics, background and contexts relating to healthy practicing, performing and studying.
2. Practical part
   In the second half of each seminar unit, exercises are presented and tried out directly under physiotherapeutic guidance - with a focus on what is important in everyday musical life

Short exercises for in between

You can find some short and easy-to-implement exercises for at home from our physiotherapy course with Julia Keyser here:

• Warm up
• Balance
• Stretching

Organization

• Frequency: Wednesdays, every two weeks
• Time: 15:00
• Location: Music therapy seminar room
• Course duration: 2 semesters
• Next course start: October 2026

Further information and registration modalities in the course catalog.

What's it about?
The focus is on topics from pedagogy and psychology that have been developed for instrumental pedagogy students, but are also open to other students:

• The body in instrumental lessons (self-perception, breaks, self-care)
• Learning and motivation
• Music and performance (dealing with pressure to perform and performance expectations)
• Relationship aspects (closeness / distance)
• Communication (self-esteem-boosting feedback)
• Stage fright and performance anxiety

We will work with theoretical inputs and practical exercises and - depending on the students' willingness - their own "cases" from practice.

Organization:
The seminar takes place in blocks (Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., usually once a month) in the music therapy seminar room (Bib.building ground floor).
Course duration: 2 semesters, always starting in winter semester
Lecturers change depending on the topic and block: Prof. Dr. Eva Bleckwedel & Magdalena Appelhans, Lona Frießner, Viola Kobabe, Dr. Lisa Prechtl, Iris Hammacher-Schneider
Introduction and coordination: Prof. Dr. Dorothee von Moreau

For further information see course catalog.

At Power Jam, we want to activate our bodies together and strengthen and tone our muscles. It's 45 minutes of varied exercise to compensate for practicing your instrument, sitting in seminars/lectures and the fast pace of everyday life.

The program takes place weeklyon Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 to 13:15 in the music therapy seminar room. Sportswear is requested.

Course leader: Julia Kurbangulov

The "Moving Break" is an offer for the administration and teaching staff of the university. As part of a 15-minute exercise program during the lunch break, the muscles of the upper and lower back as well as the shoulder and neck area are specifically loosened and slightly strengthened. Problems and requests are assessed weekly and incorporated into the next lesson.

In the long term, a small self-exercise program is gradually developed that can be carried out independently on site in the office.

The program takes place weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00-12:15 in the music therapy seminar room.

Participants do not need any sportswear or equipment.

Learn to release tension, improve your mobility and stability and understand the connections between the whole body network.

Registration / information at julia.keyser@hfmt-hamburg.de