<![CDATA[Academic anxiety is a common psychological issue experienced by twelfth-grade students as they prepare for university entrance examinations. This condition may stem from internal factors, such as low self-confidence, as well as external pressures, including parental expectations and intense competition. Meanwhile, existing studies on music therapy predominantly focus on Western music, leaving the therapeutic potential of Indonesian traditional music particularly Gending Sriwijaya underexplored. This study aims to examine the influence of Gending Sriwijaya as a psychological relaxation therapy in managing academic anxiety among twelfth-grade students at MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir. Employing a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental design (one-group pre-test post-test design), the research involved 26 purposively selected students. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire based on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) administered before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and descriptive statistics. The findings indicate a significant decrease in anxiety levels after the musical intervention (W = 0.0; p-value = 0.00053; p < 0.05). The proportion of students with low anxiety increased from 15.38% to 53.85%, while moderate anxiety decreased from 65.38% to 34.62%, and high anxiety decreased from 19.23% to 11.54%. These results demonstrate that Gending Sriwijaya is effective as a psychological relaxation therapy for reducing academic anxiety. Its gentle melodic structure and steady tempo help induce relaxation and emotional calmness, while simultaneously serving as a medium for preserving the local cultural heritage of South Sumatra. ABSTRAK Kecemasan akademik merupakan salah satu permasalahan psikologis yang umum dialami siswa kelas XII menjelang seleksi masuk perguruan tinggi. Kondisi ini dapat dipengaruhi oleh faktor internal, seperti rendahnya kepercayaan diri, serta faktor eksternal, seperti ekspektasi orang tua dan tingginya persaingan. Di sisi lain, penelitian terkait terapi musik umumnya masih berfokus pada musik barat, sehingga potensi musik tradisional Indonesia sebagai media terapi psikologis belum banyak dikaji. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh musik tradisional Gending Sriwijaya sebagai terapi relaksasi dalam mengelola kecemasan akademik siswa kelas XII MAN Insan Cendekia Ogan Komering Ilir. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain pre-eksperimental (one group pre-test post-test design), melibatkan 26 siswa yang dipilih melalui purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner digital berbasis Skala Kecemasan Hamilton (HARS) sebelum dan sesudah intervensi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test dan statistik deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan penurunan kecemasan yang signifikan setelah pemberian terapi musik (W = 0; p-value = 0,00053; p < 0,05). Proporsi kecemasan rendah meningkat dari 15,38% menjadi 53,85%, sedangkan kecemasan sedang menurun dari 65,38% menjadi 34,62%, dan kecemasan tinggi menurun dari 19,23% menjadi 11,54%. Temuan ini mengindikasikan bahwa Gending Sriwijaya efektif sebagai media terapi relaksasi psikologis. Karakteristik musikalnya yang lembut dan bertempo teratur mampu menginduksi ketenangan, sekaligus menjadi sarana pelestarian budaya lokal Sumatera Selatan.]]>
