no

The module will be provided within two formats: a 2-hour seminar and a 1-hour workshop on a weekly basis. Each seminar will be tutor-led but will encourage student involvement through discussion and critical reflection. The overarching question as to how music might help will act as a focus for each aspect of this module. This will consider ways in which music can assist individuals, communities and society within different cultures and contexts. Therefore, while attention will be given to the evolution of music therapy as a profession (i.e. where it has come from theoretically and historically) appropriate emphasis will be placed on how it is used today and its future role as a profound healing intervention.

You will be able to see how music therapists practise through the presentation of video and audio extracts pertaining to different client populations. This will comprise, for example, the areas of additional support needs in education, autism, adult learning disability, mental health and dementia. These observations will be supported by relevant texts and research articles, which are available through library resources, including relevant websites and online journals. The experiential element of this module will respectfully introduce you to the ‘client experience’. This will consider the potential of creative music-making (including instrumental and vocal improvisation) to connect with the human response and thereby realise human potential.

LO1: Critically reflect upon the importance of music in life and wellbeing, and its uses in work and life
LO2: Provide a rationale for what constitutes Music Therapy, and how and why it is used
LO3: Examine the relationships between the history and development of music as therapy
LO4: Formulate and document the skills and qualities needed by professional music therapists
LO5: Examine and evaluate the materials and equipment regularly used in music therapy, including technical developments.