Review: American Music Teacher Magazine

Performing in the Zone by Jon Gorrie sets out to define the obstacles to mastery of optimal musical performances with reference to managing performance nerves. This is a how-to book, which offers a number of solutions such as mantras and rituals, visualization, yoga, mock performances and physical exercise designed to aid the performer in managing “arousal anxiety” and understanding how it is used to attain self insight and control.

Gorrie has been a classically-trained trumpet player and a music educator for the past 15 years. Performance nerves and their management are of great interest to him particularly because they are, at one time or another, the nemesis of performers of all kinds. His priority is to aid performers to enhance their self-awareness through learning tools and anxiety concepts.

Gorrie writes with passion and conviction about the research that has consumed him for his entire career. The book is faultlessly organized and approachable. His sense of humor pervades throughout. It is clear that he has written from personal experience and with thoughtful insights.

– Louise Lepley, American Music Teacher Magazine