Orlando Sentinel: Musicians face physical demands, as Philharmonic violinist knows

The following is shared from OrlandoSentinel.com

By Matthew J. Palm
Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer
View the story and video at OrlandoSentinel.com

December 14, 2014 8 :45 PM

When the principal violinist of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra was injured in a car accident in September, she didn’t expect her music to be silenced.

But lingering pain kept Rimma Bergeron-Langlois from playing. She returns to the Phil for the first time since the crash to headline Monday’s concert, “Rimma plays ‘The Four Seasons,'” performing as soloist.

“I am glad to be playing,” said the Longwood resident. “It’s great to be back in my place again, where I belong.”

Bergeron-Langlois’s absence illustrates the physical demands on a musician’s body. Like athletes, musicians consistently use certain muscles. And as with athletes, a quality performance depends on peak physical condition.

“The body works as a whole,” said Timothy Jameson, a chiropractor who runs the website MusiciansHealth.com. “Musicians have to be in good shape to do what they do.”

Bergeron-Langlois, 34, attends physical therapy three times per week. She said her recovery is helped because of her longtime routine of stretching before violin practice.

Stretching is key, said Jameson, who is based in Castro Valley, Calif. But musicians also have to watch their nutrition, stress levels, even sleep.

“That’s an important one,” Jameson said. “Sleeping is when most of the body’s healing takes place.”

Music Director finalist Alondra de la Parra’s Message to Orlando

In September, the Orlando Philharmonic welcomed Alondra de la Parra–first of five finalists in the orchestra’s  international Music Director search–for a week-long visit to Orlando. Over the week, Maestro de la Parra met with musicians, arts leaders, community members, staff, board and volunteers, presented an informance about Mahler’s first symphony, and led rehearsals in preparation … Read more