Music Therapy
The Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts is pleased to offer music therapy and piano lessons for children and adults with special needs with Music Therapist, Marcie Gerbrandt. These specialized programs are designed to meet the specific needs of individuals who face a wide range of challenges. For more information regarding any of the programs the Conservatory has to offer, please contact us.
ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY
Music therapy is the prescribed, structured use of music and/or music activities provided by a trained professional to restore, maintain and/or improve an individual's physical, emotional, social, cognitive and psychological well-being.
HOW DOES MUSIC THERAPY HELP?
Music and rhythm possess unique qualities that are able to bridge cultural, age, experiential, spiritual, physical and/or psychological differences.
Since music is meaningful, enjoyable and able to elicit emotion and memory in nearly every person, it can become an important tool to assist individuals to achieve specific goals.
When providing music therapy services, the therapist may work collaboratively with the individual, family, school and and/or interdisciplinary team of professionals (where appropriate). Together, areas of strength are assessed and goals are developed specific to the individual's needs.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
Music therapy may be an effective treatment modality for any person, regardless of age, disability or musical background. The Music Therapist clinical application of music involves goals that are designed to address the specific needs of an individual or group receiving musical therapy services.
MUSIC THERAPY GOALS INCLUDE
Some of the most common goals established in music therapy sessions may be to:
For children and adults with special needs, goals may include:
- Using music to present and rehearse academic concepts and processes
- Developing an independent leisure activity, making friends and having fun
- Providing a non-threatening and fun environment in which to learn about,
..explore and express emotions
- Lengthening attention span and learning turn-taking skills
- Fostering independence, confidence and self-esteem
- Learning to use fine/gross motor skills
- Facilitating creative movement to promote body awareness and balance
- Music for relaxation to calm/soothe anxious feelings, distract from stresses
..and develop positive coping tools
- Facilitating creative self-expression through singing, playing instruments
.. and song-writing
In a personal care home setting:
- Establish, restore and/or maintain social awareness, communication skills and cognitive functioning
- Facilitate reality orientation
- Provide motivation for physical activity, and distraction from associated pain
- Improve circulation and increase muscle strength and tolerance
- Increase self-esteem
- Alleviate depression, and reduce aggressive behaviour and wandering
- Facilitate reminiscence, life review and validation of life experiences
- Provide opportunities to make choices
- Improve quality of life
MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT THE CONSERVATORY
Various opportunities are available for children and adults with special needs. The Conservatory may be able to help with the application of grants, etc. if financial assistance is required.
Individual Sessions: Individual sessions provide more focused attention on a participant's specific needs and abilities.
Group Sessions: Special needs children and adults may be registered for group sessions held at the Conservatory. Participants are grouped according to similarities in age and in areas of need. Sessions are individualized according to the needs of those involved.
Outreach Programs:Weekly or bi-weekly sessions may be arranged for special needs classrooms in Winnipeg schools, daycares, group homes, and personal care homes.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
- When you phone the Conservatory, a telephone consultation with the music ..therapist, will be arranged.
- The Conservatory, family and music therapist work together to find a suitable time for sessions to occur on a regular basis.
- If you wish, a meeting time can be arranged before the first session.
.. Otherwise, registration can occur at the first session.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Marcie Gerbrandt, MTA, is an accredited member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy,
