ABSTRACT
While anxiety is the most researched emotion in music performance, performances are often experienced as joyful. What factors may contribute to performance-related joy? The research reported in this chapter investigated the last ‘highly enjoyable’ performance of 625 musicians. Notably, most performers attributed their joy in that performance to a sense of contribution and connection with the audience, suggesting the relevance of a self-transcendent approach to performance. Moreover, such approaches to performance and emotions appeared to be socio-culturally shaped. The implications for teaching are profound, as teachers can play a fundamental role in shaping students’ conceptualisation of performance situations and their relationship to audiences.
