title: Reported vocal habits of first-year undergraduate musical theater majors in a preprofessional training program: a 10-year retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Collegiate-level musical theater performance students are a specialized group of vocal performers, who rely on frequent and optimal voice use for their academic advancement and ultimate livelihood. The purpose of this study was to gather information to develop a greater understanding of vocal health and practice patterns of incoming collegiate-level musical theater performers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data obtained from questionnaires completed by freshman musical theater majors were retrospectively analyzed to gather information about baseline vocal habits of the participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of a questionnaire were obtained from incoming freshman musical theater students at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music over a period of 10 years (2002-2011). One hundred eighty-eight participants (female = 90) (male = 98) with an average age of 18.28 years (standard deviation = 0.726) were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results specifying participants' self-reported vocal training and practice habits, vocal health and hygiene practices, and current vocal symptoms or contributing factors to potential voice problems are provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data obtained from the participants revealed that the potential for vocal problems exists in this group of performers, as over half of the subjects reported at least one current negative vocal symptom. The findings from this study provide information that may be useful for individuals who are involved in the training of vocal performers.
authors.affiliation: The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, Dayton, Ohio; The Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Electronic address: edonahue@soents.com.
authors.forename: Erin N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.affiliation: The Blaine Block Institute for Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation, Dayton, Ohio; The Professional Voice Center of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, TAPAA, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Wendy D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Leborgne
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Susan Baker
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Barbara D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Weinrich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D004517:Education, Professional; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D016272:Occupational Health; D009820:Ohio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D063346:Singing; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Musical theater; Practice habits; Singers; Vocal hygiene; Vocal performers; Voice