“When words fail, music speaks”- Hans Christian Andersen

This is a quote that I often see published in various contexts, and I’m sure you’ve seen it as well. It is something that is such simply worded, yet powerful. All of us, most likely at one time or another, have felt the powerful elements of music, whether it be at a live performance, playing an instrument, or jamming out to the radio in the car. At times it may just be in the background, but other times you may feel so connected to a piece of music that you just listen to it on repeat. Today on World Music Therapy Day it can be a helpful time to reflect and think of how music has integrated itself into your life. While we might not all be a music therapist or have engaged in music therapy, I think we can all agree that music on its own has many therapeutic values and benefits. 

The earliest known reference to music therapy was in 1789 in an article in the Columbian Magazine. In the 1800’s therapeutic values of music began to be recognized in the medical field in students’ dissertations. Later in the 1800’s the first music therapy interventions and research had begun. As we went into the 1900’s there were many foundations and organizations that were founded to help advocate for the use of music therapy. Finally, in the 1940’s the first music therapy college programs were created (American Music Therapy Association). 

Music therapy can be used in a variety of settings including hospitals, recovery centers, didactic settings, and private practice. Music therapists engage in many interventions such as lyric analysis, songwriting, instrument improvisation and performance, guided imagery, and music and neurologic music therapy interventions. There are so many different methods and interventions that can serve a variety of individuals and populations. 

On World Music Therapy I invite you all to think about the impact that music has had on your life. Pick up an instrument, sing in the car while no one’s looking, or watch your favorite live performance on YouTube. We all have been touched by music in one way or another and today is a special day to remember how music has supported us at one time or another in our life, and will continue to be there as we go into the future. Music is always developing and always finding new ways to provide therapeutic value in our lives. 

If you are interested in learning more about  music therapy please visit : 

https://www.musictherapy.org/

References

“American Music Therapy Association.” History of Music Therapy | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), https://www.musictherapy.org/about/history/. 

“Music Therapy.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/music-therapy.