In the United Kingdom music therapists are skilled musicians who undergo further training at postgraduate level to work as music therapists. A high level of musical skill is expected at admission (Wetherick 2014) and training often includes further opportunities for musical development and learning, both integrated with therapeutic training and in its own right. Different approaches to music and musicianship in relation to music therapy practive are discussed in the literature from theoretical perspectives (e.g. Aigen 2010, Darnley-Smith 2012) but there has been little significant investigative research into teaching practices in the UK and how these may relate to different theoretical positions.
This project aims to gather the views and experiences of music therapy trainers from different UK training programmes. What shapes or influences their approach to music therapy training? What musical skills, values or experiences do they aim to develop in trainees? What theoretical views or positions influence their teaching? What challenges or difficulties do they encounter? This research is part of a larger project to investigate the musical training of music therapists in the UK, looking at trainee’s musicianship skills and how these develop, and are developed, through music therapy training.
The outcomes of the research will help music therapy trainers and theorists to better understand the musical skills required in music therapy practice and how these are developed most effectively in training.
Donald Wetherick
PhD Candidate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama