Music Therapy: It's All About the Brain

As a music therapy student at Marylhurst, I was introduced to the work of Dr. Dale Taylor, an MT-BC,  researcher and expert in the field of biomedical music therapy.  Dr. Taylor says that the work of music therapy takes place in the human brain, and is targeted at changing how the brain functions.

An example of this is the use of music in a hospital setting.  Music therapy is widely used to decrease pain perception in patients by raising the threshold of pain stimuli that travel to the somatosensory areas of the patient's brain.

Dr Taylor's book, Biomedical Foundations of Music as Therapy says the theory of biomedical music therapy is based on the following assumptions:

1 - The brain is the center of control for the human organism
2 - Music is processed by and through the brain after which it affects us in a number of ways
3 - Music can have a positive effect on the body's hormonal and neural functioning, and can have a positive impact on the regenerative and immune functioning of the body. 

More on this fascinating topic to come!

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12 new Legacy Salmon Creek volunteers and 2 volunteer coordinators have now heard about music therapy.  As I introduced myself and said what I do, I heard an audible, "Oh, cool!" and "Mmmm!"

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Lyle, Carl, and a group of counselors working in bereavement now know about music therapy.  I am always amazed by the response I get when talking about the power of music to heal. 

Arts Groups Participate in "Music For All"

As reported in the Oregonian today, a number of Portland/Vancouver area performing arts organizations have made available inexpensive $5 tickets to their events.  This pilot program began in January 2011 and has exceeded expectations! 

Here's a quote from the article:
"Some days when you're searching for work, you get told no, no, no," said (an unemployed patron). "It can get disillusioning. Listening to the music lifted me up out of my burden. I felt swept away."
The pilot program, "Music for All," is aimed at people with Oregon Trail Cards using the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program. Participating groups included the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre and nine others.

The program proved so popular -- 1,410 people bought tickets-- organizers plan to bring it back in the fall.

http://allclassical.org/assets/files/MusicForAll_2010_Final.pdf

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Robin and I spoke at length on Friday about music therapy and children with special needs. 

Another interesting encounter was with the young man who installed my new induction oven -- when I mentioned that I am a music therapist, he said, "Music kept me out of trouble!"  He shared with me that he was a drummer, and keeping up with his music during adolescence kept him from having too  much time on his hands to get into some of the troublesome things some of his peers were getting into at that age.  He believes the gift of music has helped him become who he is today.  Success!!

Arts and Aging in Clark County

Plans are underway to create a studio dedicated to serving Clark County's elders in a new, innovative way!  I can't divulge all the details yet, but art, drama, dance, and music therapy will be offered for clients with dementia and their care partners and family members.  I am so excited to be on the ground floor of this amazing offering! More to come as plans are finalized  . . . .

What is Music Therapy Anyway?

I get this question all the time ~ what is music therapy?
Here is a wonderful answer to that question from Ronna Kaplan, president of the American Music Therapy Association:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronna-kaplan-ma/music-therapy_b_869439.html
Thanks to Kimberly Sena Moore and Kat Fulton for tweeting this article!