Music Therapy Research Blog

I've just discovered a music therapy research blog (written by Blythe LaGasse, Ph.D, MT-BC) and a podcast ( available on iTunes By Andrew Knight, MA, MT-BC, NMT & Blythe LaGasse, Ph.D., MT-BC, NMT). The blog would be really useful for many of us that are about to graduate and starting working as qualified music therapists. Evidence based practice is something that will support every single job position and opportunity that we embark on. So this blog should prove very useful for keeping in touch with the most recent research that is available to our profession. ..check it out www.musictherapyresearchblog.com.

UL Graduates begin Music Therapy Ireland service

Three University of Limerick Music Therapy graduates have started up a Munster based service. Eli Chourdaki, Jack O'Leary and John Garvey have joined together to form Music Therapy Ireland. Together they offer a creative space to help the lives of people who are healthy and those with disabilities.
Their mission is to use music as a medium to promote and encourage further development and growth in a space that is creative, safe and non-judgmental. Check out www.musictherapyireland.com for information and to read their blog.

"Something Special" get National Lottery funding

Something Special, based in Eglinton County Derry, secured a grant of £422,405 to run the Achieving Something Special project which will involve a range of education and arts programmes for people of all levels of disability helping them achieve things they never thought possible.

Founder Denise White explained that she started the organisation in 2007 because there was a lack of services available for people with learning disabilities in the North West.

“Music will underpin everything we do. All teaching sessions will be focused around music and the pupils play piano or use percussion instruments. It helps them communicate and connect with other people, charges their mood and gives them the confidence and attention to learn.

“This project gives them the chance to meet friends, develop social skills, take part in courses, improve their confidence and esteem, and change the public’s attitudes to people with disabilities.”

Read the full article from the Derry Journal here...