Michigan State Freezes Music Therapy Program

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I am a Caregiver Trainer at the local Isabella County Commission on Aging. I am trying to put together a training session on Music Therapy for people taking care of individuals with illness including Alzheimers, Lewy Bodies, Parkenson's etc.
Is there anyone there that you know of that would be will do talk with me about a presentation in October 2009 to Caregivers in Mt. Pleasant.
Thanks Ann Kowaleski
CGT/S

Ann Kowaleski of MI 10:56AM July 14, 2009

Obviously the person who wrote the horrible remarks about music therapy knows nothing about it or the program at MSU. It is the first college to offer a music therapy degree. Would you take away Palmer College of Chiropractic when it started chiropractics? No. Music therapy is not unknown in the world, especially with people who care about the advancement of skills in their loved ones with disabilities. These are the people who know a great deal about music therapy. This is true with any specializied doctor-- the people who need them know them. Please do not offend our profession by basically deeming it unworthy when a huge wealth of research would prove it an effective therapy in a wide variety of populations. I have students who couldn't talk who are now able to say full sentences due to the music therapy. Ask their parents if they would get rid of a program that would educate more people in this profession. I gather you know what the answer would be.
As for psychology recognizing it as a profession, we as music therapists know that we have a lot of research to do to catch up to the psychologists of the world. You have studies that are hundreds of years old, and we can't begin to match that, but can only attempt to publish as much credible research as possible. I have worked with amazing professors of psychology who have helped me a great deal in research who are in complete support of music therapy. Take for instance a group of troubled teens who go to group therapy. How likely is it that they are going to express their feelings in front of everyone without a therapeudic medium? What if they were able to listen to lyrics from a song that relates to their life? This is much more relevant to the children of today and that is why music therapy is effective and can make a huge impact in teens struggling with addiction, abandonment, sexual misconduct, aggression, etc.
Please observe a music therapy session by a BOARD-CERTIFIED music therapist before saying the things you do. I guarantee you will be changed.

Katey of IL 11:54AM April 23, 2009

Only one student was admitted last year because there is very low interest. You do not need to form a focus group to study that fact. The program has declined over the last few years in applications. Anybody outside of the profession will tell you the programs are in trouble and several schools have made cuts in this occupation. I recently read another response that there are a shortage in Music Therapist in the US. This is inaccurate information. The occupation is still fairly unknown and still not fully accepted as a valid form of treatment by many in the Psychology field. Sadly stated, Music Therapist are the Chiropractors of the mental health field...except the general public knows what a Chiropractor is.

William Archer of MI 8:10PM February 28, 2009

At a time when Music Therapy is coming into its own, it's a sad commentary that a research based insitution known for its quality and outstaning professors is being
droppped.
Please attempt to reconsider.
if in fact the UG program has only 2 new students, what about the Graduate Program??? We have heard no statistics on that. There are many UG programs from which studnets may choose. How about a focus on selling the Grad program?
Sr. Donna Marie Beck
Duquesne Unviersity

Donna Marie Beck Ph. D., FAMI, MT-BC of PA 10:05AM February 28, 2009

"The facts are that this was the weakest program in the College of Music; only 1 new UG student was admitted last year; the 2 faculty members are near retirement; the program could be cut with little or no impact on the rest of the College's programs or ensembles, unlike other majors such as performance or education."
The above considerations are reasonable. The question remains as to why only one new student was admitted last year. Presenting the fact means little without follow up.
"The surprise is that the program hadn't already been cut--decreasing enrollments, disengaged faculty, and overall poor quality."
How exactly are you substantiating that the faculty were "disengaged?" How exactly are you substantiating that the quality of the program was "poor?" What makes you think that I should accept these statements as facts, rather than as opinions?
"This decision was also not a surprise to the 2 MT faculty, who knew this decision was on the books, and were unable to do anything to change the situation."
An irrelevant fact, reliant upon speculation and implication as to what motivations or onuses existed within the music therapy program.
"And to the person above who suggested that music therapy "distinguished" MSU's music school from UM's--if there were any music students considering both MSU and UM who could get admitted to both schools, music therapy would not be their intended major."
I find this an interesting comment, considering that my choice of university, between two in the same city, was entirely contingent upon the degree programs offered. I was accepted and spent ample time at one of the most highly noted jazz and classical programs in the country. I then pursued my degree at the university that was indeed distinguished by its music therapy program. The comment above places itself in a precarious position, relying upon convenient absent referents, and certainly has no basis in "fact."

The Church of Coltrane of TX 12:54PM February 27, 2009

It is unfortunate that music therapy classes are being terminated......because good music is very important to balance out the needless violence and immorality that is being thrown to us via the television and film industries....If you need to regain your sanity and peace of mind,...there are plenty of fine music programs on television and the radio.... Cordially ....

Steve Roisman of CA 5:12PM February 24, 2009

The facts are that this was the weakest program in the College of Music; only 1 new UG student was admitted last year; the 2 faculty members are near retirement; the program could be cut with little or no impact on the rest of the College's programs or ensembles, unlike other majors such as performance or education.
The surprise is that the program hadn't already been cut--decreasing enrollments, disengaged faculty, and overall poor quality. This decision was also not a surprise to the 2 MT faculty, who knew this decision was on the books, and were unable to do anything to change the situation.
And to the person above who suggested that music therapy "distinguished" MSU's music school from UM's--if there were any music students considering both MSU and UM who could get admitted to both schools, music therapy would not be their intended major.

MSU music lover of MI 7:08PM February 23, 2009

it only takes a minute and this petition will be seen by the president of the university and provost! thank you!
http://www.petitiononline.com/080905/petition.html

Rebecca West of MI 11:35AM February 21, 2009

It is a done deal. Let it rest. Music Therapy is not a high paying profession and there is no way the alumni will be able to raise enough support to keep this program alive. It is not responsible for the college to keep this program with such low numbers. Everything historic has it's time. This is it. Music Therapy programs across the nation are on the cutting block in this economy. Many people do not understand what a Music Therapist is. They are pretty much occupational therapist with music skills. Michigan schools are in a mess to put it politely. The Governor refuses to commit state money to shore them up as the state itself is in a major financial crisis. It would be unreasonable to expect the President of this college to make stronger programs. Carpenters know that the weakest support member is always the quickest to fail and will put the others in serious jeopardy.

Bob Newland of MI 11:17PM February 20, 2009

"The program currently has 34 students—21 undergraduate and 13 graduate." per the College. "Our program also has more than 34 students, a fact one of the music therapy professors noted in our most recent meeting yesterday (Tuesday). " per Rebecca.
On Tuesday, did you also hear the faculty member say that many of those not included in the Colleges numbers had not been admitted yet? They cannot be counted in the program if they are not admitted. It's pretty simple math.

Butch of MI 7:42PM February 19, 2009