Company | MusicWorx Music Therapy News Advocate 2011
International Music Therapy News Resource
As an international music therapy authority and advocate, MusicWorx welcomes and publishes
news from any source that promotes the field of music therapy.
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Looking for a New Leader? It's You!
| Date | Friday, October 14, 2011 |
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| Registration | »Click Here |
| Workshop Details | »Download PDF |
| Story | Clinician Barbara Reuer, PhD, NMT–F, MT–BC will present a five-hour, five-unit CMTE workshop for the Music Therapy Association of North Carolina in which participants will examine leadership skills required of music therapists practicing in the new economy. |
Encouraging Language and Love
| Date | Monday, October 10, 2011 |
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| Source | »Imagine Online Magazine |
| Writer | Noelle Pederson MT–BC Barbara Reuer, PhD, MT–BC |
| Story | This featured article describes the expansion of the Resounding Joy Sound Minds program, early-childhood music therapy that functions as a training tool within the Even Start curriculum for low-income families who use English as a Second Language (ESL). |
Worcester Academy Open Gates Lecture Videos
| Date | Thursday, September 8, 2011 |
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| Source | »Worcester Academy Open Gates Blog |
| Writer | Dr. John Murnane |
| Story | Celebrating the many scholarly contributions of Worcester Academy graduates and their engagement in the world at large, the Open Gates lecture series for 2011–12 features alumni authors, who discuss the content of their particular publications as well as the craft of writing and publishing. In this series of videos, alumna Rebecca Vaudreuil covers music therapy topics. |
Give the Gift of Music to Wounded Warriors
| Date | Wednesday, July 6, 2011 |
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| Source | »Newport Beach Independent |
| Writer | Lynn Selich |
| Story | Newport Sunrise Rotary Club member Laura Dietz is on a mission to collect each and every unwanted and unused musical instrument she can find in our good city, to help bring the healing gift of music to the Wounded Warrior Battalion-West. She suspects, and I am guessing she’s right, that there are probably untold numbers of perfectly good, forgotten or unused and unwanted musical instruments taking up space in just about every closet, garage and storage unit in Newport and beyond. This is a shame, since those instruments could go to good use by Resounding Joy, Inc., a non-profit organization that is providing the gift of music to members of the WWB who are recovering from the physical and/or psychological effects of war.
Laura and her fellow rotary club members would like to help fill a need for instruments for the program, with the help of the community. Considering all the former 12-year-old aspiring rockstars out there who abandoned their guitars, drums and piano keyboards for cheerleading or football, I am guessing a few parents would be happy to pull out those instruments, dust them off and donate them to a worthy cause. (As I type, I am eyeing a dust-laden harmonica languishing on a music stand, wondering if my husband would notice its departure . . . . ) Laura told me about a recent needs assessment trip she took to the WWB administration offices at Camp Pendleton to find out how rotary and the community at large could help, and the last thing she thought she would be asked to do was find musical instruments for the recovering soldiers. “After we discussed a few ideas, the staff sergeant suddenly remembered, ‘Oh, we need musical instruments, like guitars, for a music therapy program we’re starting this summer,’” she said. The unlikely suggestion truly ‘struck a chord’ with Laura. “As a musician myself, I have no doubt as to the benefits of music therapy, and since my goal is to help achieve the best possible treatment for our wounded warriors, I knew this challenge was one I could wholeheartedly embrace,” she told me emphatically. Laura did some homework and the more she learned about music therapy, the more she realized its positive impact on healing. She found that research has proven music therapy interventions can help patients alleviate pain, enhance memory, express feelings, improve communication, manage stress, promote physical rehabilitation, and further overall wellness. These findings are not limited to wounded warriors, but also being utilized for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer patients, autistic children, and many other medically beneficial applications. At the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, the music therapy program began officially in October 2010, under the auspices of Resounding Joy, with funding from the non-profit Semper Fi Fund, great examples of how private citizens can make a huge difference. The program is headed by Barbara Reuer, Ph.D., who explained to Laura that when the program first began, she encountered some hesitancy, but after a while it really caught on. Today, about 75 warriors have found relief and regained hope through music therapy. During a recent television interview, Reuer explained that music can reach parts of the brain that nothing else can. One researcher has claimed that it can even penetrate psychosis. For many, their doctors order “music therapy” on a prescription pad just like they would an antidepressant. The WWB is officially launching the music therapy program at Camp Pendleton on July 11, for an 8-week summer session. With proper funding (private grants, individual donations, etc.) it will continue as part of the general program. However, the following instruments are still needed and this is where you, dear readers, come in. The program is in need of gently used guitars (classical, acoustic, electric, and electric base); tenor ukuleles; portable keyboards; harmonicas (key of C), 50-packs of extra-light guitar strings; snark electric tuners; assorted percussion, hand drums, Cajon box/drum and bins/bags for storage. Instruments should be in full working order. To make a tax-deductible donation of an instrument, email: wwbwmusic@yahoo.com or call 714-606-8384. Pick-up arrangements can be made for Orange County. Special thanks for this story go to Laura Dietz, and those she is working with at WWB including Sgt. Major Mark O’Loughlin, SSgt Jennifer Kerr, USN Command Chief Aaron Siebert, Operations Chief Sean Sargeant, PA Paul Swanson, Sgt. Michael Mozingo, as well as Semper Fi Fund founder Karen Guenther, and Barbara Reuer, Ph.D., MusicWorx, Inc. |
Research Completed by Former MusicWorx Intern
Appears in Industry Publication
| Date | Wednesday, July 6, 2011 |
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| View Complete Study | »Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy |
| Photo | Julie Guy, MM, NMT–F, MT–BC |
| Abstract | Feasibility of Conducting a Music Therapy Study
With Hospice Patients with Dementia & Agitation This study's purpose was to explore non-pharmacological means for decreasing agitation in hospice patients with late stage dementia administered by caregivers. Subjects in the study were patients on service with San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine, diagnosed with late stage dementia, as determined by a FAST (Functional Assessment Staging) score of 7, and who were known to become agitated while performing certain tasks (e.g., bathing or eating). A music therapist assessed the subjects using an adaptation of the Music Therapy Assessment (Krout, 2000). The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and Blessed Dementia Scale were administered pre- and post- intervention to assess cognitive functioning severity of dementia, respectively. Caregivers were trained to administer the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS) after performing the stressful task without music (baseline). The music therapist created a CD for each subject based on the following: a) music background/preferences of subject (preferred styles of music, favorite selections or artists), obtained from family/caregiver, and b) subject responses observed during the assessment. Caregivers were instructed to complete the agitated task during the music intervention and immediately following the task completed an ABS evaluation. Out of the 51 patients referred for the study, 11 met inclusion criteria and were consented. Eight subjects completed the study. According to demographic information the majority of subjects were female, had previous music experience, and lived in a skilled nursing facility. The most frequent agitated task was bathing, which caused agitation in 75% of subjects. SPMSQ results indicated all patients had severe cognitive impairment and pre-/post-scores were the same. Pre-music intervention ABS scores were a mean of 23.46 (SD = 5.8), and a mean of 20.69 (SD = 7.1) for post-music intervention. This indicated that subjects became slightly less agitated overall though the effects were not statistically significant (t (7) = 1.41, p = 0.2). Further analysis was unwarranted due to the lack of statistical significance and the small sample size. Two subjects demonstrated decreased agitation levels. Study limitations, implications for further research, and feasibility of research with late stage dementia patients receiving hospice care are discussed by the researchers. |
| View Complete Study | »Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy |
Musical Sock Hop Sounds Right Note for Veterans
| Date | Monday, June 6, 2011 |
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| Source | »North County Times |
| Writer | Leslie Carter |
| Photo | Rebecca Vaudreuil, NICU–MT, NMT, MT–BC |
| Story | The mission statement of the Foundation for Brain Injured Veterans, a project of the Alara Advocacy Foundation, establishes the deep connection between this charitable group and music. Its special events, such as the third annual "Celebrity Sock Hop" on April 16, thus far have been built around the nostalgia for the music of the '50s, '60s and '70s, and are building interest in therapeutic value of music in the rehabilitation of our wounded troops. The Sheraton Grand Pacific Resort & Spa in Carlsbad hosted 527 people that night to hear Sha Na Na with Jocko Marcellino, the Shirelles and the San Diego cover band The Legends. David Cassidy picked up a Silver Eagle Patriot Award for his support of the military. "I have seven generations of military service in my mother's family ... You guys are my heroes, and I love you guys," he said. FBIV director Captola Wicks helped to open the program with, "I thank each and every one of you for being here tonight, and I thank my family who puts up with me while I'm trying to put this together."  Ultimately, the foundation wishes to fund a music therapy center for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Rebecca Vaudreuil, a neurologic music therapist who works for the nonprofit Resounding Joy based in North County, appeared with retired Sgt. Ben Tourtelot, a client because of his extensive brain injury and an impressive success story because of music therapy. Tourtelot was injured during a routine training exercise when he crashed head-first to the tarmac while rappelling from a helicopter. He lost half of his forehead and was in a coma for a month. Vaudreuil has been working in neurologic rehabilitation for two years at the Naval Medical Center and the Naval Submarine Base in San Diego. Service members from all branches who have been diagnosed with TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder and other manifestations of combat-related trauma have been under her care. Tourtelot was first under Vaudreuil's care, then began collaborating with her. They wrote the piece together that he performed at the Sock Hop: "God's Gift, A Second Chance." Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Bill Horn and Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood, who read a proclamation from the Oceanside City Council honoring the foundation's efforts, were among the guests. Dave Mason from the Walrus 105.7 FM was the master of ceremonies. An opportunity drawing featuring a U.S. flag that had been flown over the Capitol was donated by Rep. Mary Bono Mack. Assemblyman Martin Garrick donated his own Padres tickets as a prize. "He and Marie Joyce from Garrick's office have tried every which way to help me," Wicks said. The event committee included Joe and Heaven Fedor, Candace and Brandy McGowan, Dan Suljka, Richard and Karen Bell, Vicki Barnes, Samantha Staender, Lilianne Simmons, Myrna Goelker, Jayne Hall and Mary Peterson. Some of the Sock Hop guests were Leslie Sutter, Arlene Boyer, Darlenska, Danny Czeavski, Michaelle Houlihan, Rosanita Ratcliff and Seth Bove. |
MusicWorx Internship Alumna Wins WRAMTA Professional Practice Award
| Date | Saturday, April 9, 2011 |
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| Photo | Kat Fulton, MM, NICU–MT, MT–BC |
| Story | Kat Fulton, MM, NICU–MT, MT–BC received a WRAMTA Professional Practice Award, representing peer recognition of significant contribution to the profession of music therapy by utilizing special skills, knowledge of clinical practice, and supervision.
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World Federation of Music Therapy Assembly of Student Delegates
| Date | Friday, March 4, 2011 |
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| Source | »World Federation of Music Therapy |
| Writer | Petra Kern, PhD, MT–DMtG, MT–BC, MTA, NICU–MT |
| Photo | Jen Spivey, Music Therapist |
| Story | We proudly announce our first World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) Assembly of Student Delegates. The WFMT Council sees students as a vital part of this organization as they are the next generation of professional music therapists and leaders in our field. To improve student involvement on the World Federation of Music Therapy, the 2008–2011 Council created the first World Congress of Music Therapy Scholarship for Students, started a WFMT for Students page on the WFMT website, and established two new student membership categories. Going one-step further, we now established the first WFMT Assembly of Student Delegates (ASD). The WFMT Council sees the ASD as an innovative, vital, and integral new component of the WFMT. Our intention is 1 to enhance students’ knowledge of the profession 2 to provide a forum for international student activities 3 to facilitate the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and opinions 4 to assist in preparing responsible, politically aware, and skillful leadership of WFMT I am pleased to introduce to you the 2011–2014 WFMT Assembly of Student Delegates. Jen Spivey, an AMTAS member and current Intern at MusicWorx Inc. in San Diego, CA is representing the North American students. Learn more about the student delegates at »WFMT. |
Wounded Warriors Get Rhythm
| Date | Thursday, March 3, 2011 |
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| Publication Location | »View here. |
| Writer | Lance Corporal Lisa Tourtelot |
| Photo | Rebecca Vaudreuil, NMT–F, NICU MT, MT–BC |
| Story | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyreen S. McRae and Petty Officer 3rd Class Tina A. Leet, participants in neurologic music therapy, perfect their harmonica skills at Naval Medical Center San Diego Feb. 28. Wounded Warriors use music therapy to improve motor function, memory retention and stress management. “One day I was really mad and Tina was depressed,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Elisa M. Wyatt, a participant in the neurologic music therapy group at Naval Medical Center San Diego. “We started writing the ‘Medical Hold’ song and then we couldn’t stop laughing. Everyone in the group got into it. They started coming up with dances, like the crutch dance. It just spread. People related to it.”  Wyatt and Petty Officer 3rd Class Tina A. Leet, are Wounded Warriors. The group is the neurologic music therapy group at NMCSD where they play music to aid the healing process. Neurologic music therapy uses music—learning to play various instruments, sing, read sheet music and write songs—to help patients achieve non-musical goals in their recovery, such as improved motor skills, speech articulation, memory improvement and stress reduction. “[Music therapy] has been one of the most helpful things they have here,” said Wyatt. “We get to contribute [in song writing] and be part of a team, which is why we joined the military.”  The Wounded Warriors share common experiences as service members to communicate as a group. “[Group members] have a look of relief when they say something and someone else says they know what the other person is talking about,” said Rebecca Vaudreuil, a board-certified neurologic music therapist with Resounding Joy, Inc. “They feel more comfortable opening up in the future. It’s a support system.”  Vaudreduil began the first eight-week session in October 2010 and subsequent groups have recorded CD’s and performed their songs at private ceremonies, including military graduations and celebrations at local music museums. Wounded Warriors participating in the group decide whether they want to write music, record CD’s or perform live, explained Vaudreuil. The needs of the group dictate the direction each eight-week session takes, but the overall goals of pain and stress management, memory retention and improved motor function remain the same.  Patients work on relevant stress and pain control tools when they are learning to play the various instruments. For example, patients focus on deep breathing techniques while learning to play the harmonica. Deep breathing, Vaudreuil explained, can help patients avoid angry outbursts when in a stressful situation. Leet explained that she now turns to her favorite positive music when the anxiety begins to take hold, and has even found that her pain lessens when her stress is under control. Vaudreuil explained that while playing instruments is vital to the therapy, song writing remains one of the most important aspects of music therapy because of its cathartic effect on patients. “Every time I listen to our songs it brings tears to my eyes,” said Wyatt. “It brings that sense of camaraderie back.” Those interested in purchasing a CD, donating or volunteering can contact Vaudreuil at rvaudreuil@resoundingjoyinc.org. |
Providing Therapy Through Music,
Drury Program Helps Children Improve Their Motor Skills with Tunes
| Date | Wednesday, February 15, 2011 |
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| Source | »Springfield News Leader |
| Writer | Cliff Sain |
| Photo | Leslie Jones, MT–BC |
| Story | Music can bring joy to its listeners, but at Drury's Music Therapy department, it brings a whole lot more. On a Friday afternoon, music therapist Leslie Jones plays an electric keyboard, encouraging 6-year-old Emma Follis to finish the song by playing the final note. Emma has Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects her motor skills. Her mother, Heather Follis, said it is important for her to use her hands. "If it's something she's interested in, it helps," Heather Follis said. Interest is right. Emma starts out shy, but as the hour-long session progresses, she is all smiles. From her wheelchair, Emma strikes at the keyboard to finish the song. Later, she shakes a band of sleigh bells to a tune. After that, Jones plays the guitar and asks Emma to strum the final note for her. Next, Jones plays a drum and sings a song, the lyrics imploring Emma to hit the drum with her hand. She is hesitant at first, but then strikes the drum two more times. She smiles. Heather Follis, who has been taking Emma to music therapy for about two years, said Emma loves the sessions. "Some days she's really tired," Heather Follis said. "I've almost canceled a couple of times because she was so tired after school. But when she gets here, she immediately perks up and is excited." Jones, who is one of two full-time therapists at the program, said the children she works with probably don't even understand the purpose of the sessions. They just know it's fun. "It's very easy for them," Jones said. "If they have trouble with motor skills they can still hit a drum or run their hand through a set of chimes."  At the same time in another room, 11-year-old Cameron McMeley is playing, with full enthusiasm, a drum set while music therapist Carrie Jenkins accompanies on guitar and Drury music therapy student Markus Corley plays conga drums. According to therapist and clinical director Julie Cassity, the focus of the session is for Cameron, who has Down syndrome, to keep the beat. Of course, he throws in some frills, like any drummer in the spotlight. Later, Cameron plays a small electric keyboard. He reads a music sheet with letters (rather than musical notes) and plays the notes. "He's reading letters as he plays," Cassity said. "It's a tracking skill. The idea is for him to keep up without help." Cameron's mother, Cindy McMeley, said that music is "a passion" for her son, which helps him learn. "He's very motivated by music," she said. "He learns a lot of skills here that he works on in academics." As far as Cameron seems to care, he's having the time of his life making music. Drury's Music Therapy program was founded in 2002 and recently expanded to include a master's program. Therapists at Drury, as well as satellite clinics in Monett and Cassville, serve clients with a range of needs. In addition to developmentally disabled children, the music therapists work with older disabled people, substance abusers and the elderly. Program director Michael Cassity said that with substance abusers, therapists will help the clients work together to write their own song about their recovery. He said the process helps the clients loosen up. "They make friends and they start to talk about their problems," Michael Cassity said. "The therapist can get a lot done. It can be the key that unlocks the door." He said that when the music therapists visit a nursing home, one of the big goals is to get the residents moving and to improve their mood. He said patients with Alzheimer's tend to show reduced agitation after a music therapy program. For the disabled, Michael Cassity said there are many benefits to the program. By playing hand bells or other instruments, clients can develop attention span, motor skills, eye contact and on-track behavior. "The best thing about this is that the patients who have the greatest need are the ones that receive the most benefit," he said. In most cases, the program uses live music, whether played by the therapists or the clients. Occasionally, they will make use of recorded music, according to Michael Cassity. |