The use of Music as a healing tool has been present throughout history. Music Therapy goes back to Biblical times when David played the harp to rid King Saul of a bad spirit. As early as 400 B.C. Hippocrates, Greek Father of Medicine, played music for his mentally ill patients. Aristotle described music as a force that purified the emotions. In the thirteenth century, Arab hospitals contained music rooms for the benefit of the patients. Native American and Native Canadians often employed chants and dances to heal the sick. Modern day Music Therapy began in the aftermath of World Wars 1 and 2. Musicians would travel to hospitals, particularly in the United Kingdom, and play music for soldiers suffering from war related emotional and physical trauma.
The first undergraduate degree in the Music therapy program in North America was founded at Michigan State University and the first graduate degree program at the University of Kansas. Temple University has recently founded a PhD program in Music therapy. In Ontario Canada undergraduate degree programs in Music Therapy were available at the University of Windsor and Laurier University for many years, however as Music therapy is now a post-graduate qualification, only Laurier University offers the Masters in Music therapy Program. Nordoff-Robbins Centre for Music Therapy in London England is the most well-known and renowned Music therapy program in Europe. A degree in Music therapy requires proficiency in guitar, piano, voice, music theory, music history, reading music, improvisation and skills in assessment, documentation, counseling and other health care skills, depending on the focus of the particular university’s program. Upon graduation a Music Therapist must also complete a music therapy internship and pass the Board Certification Examination in Music Therapy. A Music Therapist may hold the designations CMT (Certified Music therapist) ACMT (Advanced Certified Music Therapist) or RMT (Registered Music Therapist).
The first undergraduate degree in the Music therapy program in North America was founded at Michigan State University and the first graduate degree program at the University of Kansas. Temple University has recently founded a PhD program in Music therapy. In Ontario Canada undergraduate degree programs in Music Therapy were available at the University of Windsor and Laurier University for many years, however as Music therapy is now a post-graduate qualification, only Laurier University offers the Masters in Music therapy Program. Nordoff-Robbins Centre for Music Therapy in London England is the most well-known and renowned Music therapy program in Europe. A degree in Music therapy requires proficiency in guitar, piano, voice, music theory, music history, reading music, improvisation and skills in assessment, documentation, counseling and other health care skills, depending on the focus of the particular university’s program. Upon graduation a Music Therapist must also complete a music therapy internship and pass the Board Certification Examination in Music Therapy. A Music Therapist may hold the designations CMT (Certified Music therapist) ACMT (Advanced Certified Music Therapist) or RMT (Registered Music Therapist).