CONTEXTO AMBIENTAL E PROFISSIONAL DO CANTOR DA NOITE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand how singers experience the impact of their work environment on their voice and their well being. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 30 professional singers in Goiânia, 15 of them women and 15 men, all between 21 and 49 years of age. A grounded theory analysis was made of the interviews. Four categories were constructed: (1) Stressful environment, marked by contextual and situational stress; (2) Risk factors including undisciplined use of the voice and giving in to the demands of the labor market; (3) Coping, meaning how the singers dealt with stress and blunt its effects; (4) Factors of protection including professional relationships and personal characteristics of the singer. The sources of stress and the risk factors was present both in the broad context of professional activity and in the direct environment when the show takes place. But coping strategies and protective factors could make an immense difference. Lack of care for the voice can be understood in the context of the demands of the labor market and financial pressure. Finally, the profession s social environment can also offer protection against the risks and the damaging effects of stress. As far as the singers have knowledge of their vulnerabilities, they can develop more adequate coping strategies, improve their vocal performance and advance their interpersonal relations with other professionals to build a protective social network.