Recommended Pre-College Training to Become a Music Therapist
Music therapy is a unique field that draws on the creative arts of music and the scientific methods of psychology and traditional therapy. Michigan State University formed the first undergraduate program in music therapy in 1944, and today prestigious programs like the Institute of Music and Neurologic Function and the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy offer training in the field. Music therapists are certified by the Certification Board of Music Therapists, and schools are accredited by the American Musical Therapy Association (AMTA).
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Music Theory and History
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Prospective music therapists should study music history and theory. The AMTA includes an understanding of musical periods, from classical to contemporary, and music theory as requirements to becoming competent as a music therapist. Therapists will need to be able recognize standard works, sight-sing melodies, and transpose simple compositions. Aspiring music therapists can develop a knowledge and familiarity with these areas by listening to recordings and attending live performances.
Volunteer Work
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Volunteering at a local therapy center can be a key way to further develop your resume and experience. Whether or not the center utilizes music therapy, working with the disabled, the elderly, and the developmentally challenged provides important experience and understanding of the therapeutic relationship. First-hand experience at therapeutic centers that focus on a specific area can help you refine your professional interest (e.g., working with the terminally ill or working with adolescents) as a music therapist.
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Developing Versatility
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A music therapist must develop a wide range of musical skills. You will need to be proficient on the keyboard, guitar, and percussion instruments. This versatility is so important for a music therapist since you will need to be able to perform music with any or all these instruments. Some therapeutic centers only have one or two of these instruments, and you may have other limitations in working with a patient, such as little space or limited use of volume. You should also have adequate vocal skills and the ability to conduct.
The State of the Field
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Like any other professional field, music therapy continues to evolve in its practices and standards. Reading works like W.B. Lathom's "Survey of current functions of a music therapist" (1982) and the website of the AMTA can give you a sense of the current professional standards held by the music therapy field. You can gain insight into the state of the profession, how it continues to evolve, and the expectations and roles of a music therapist. According to the AMTA, every certified music therapist must have a knowledge of the foundations and principles of the profession.
Further Steps
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Since music therapy has so many applications, you can become creative in finding ways to develop your skills. An ambitious prospective music therapist should consider refining his or her skills by developing school or community programs that utilize music therapy, especially if there are few options nearby. You can arrange, with your director, to have your choir or band visit retirement or therapeutic centers and perform. Alternately, you can offer free lessons to the developmentally challenged or the elderly and teach an instrument one-on-one.
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References
- Photo Credit music book. manuscript. music score image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
