Conferences
Å  The World Congresses of Music Therapy
Music as Therapy had poster displays at the World Congress of Music Therapy in Brisbane (2005) and Oxford (2002). The displays highlighted the ways in which our local partners have transformed the quality of life of children and adults in care and how the support of Music as Therapy has helped local workers gain greater job satisfaction. The opportunities for international therapists to get involved with the work of the Music as Therapy were promoted and we hoped that international therapists would share their experiences of similar sustainable development work to enable us to work together in this emerging field of International Community Music Therapy.

Å  Second National Conference "Together Through the Arts for People with Disabilities", Sinaia
From 15th-17th November, Advisory Panel member Úna McInerney attended the second National Conference exploring the role of the arts in working with people with disabilities, held in Romania.  Music as Therapy enabled 19 of our local partners to participate and many of them gave presentations about their work.

Å  British Society for Music Therapy: An Introduction to Music Therapy
 On Saturday 27th March 2004, two of the music therapists on the Music as Therapy Advisory Panel  presented a one day meeting for people interested to find out more about music therapy, held by the BSMT.  The day took place at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London and was attended by 50 people!
Å  Exploring Music Therapy in the Community
On Thursday 11th March a conference was held at Canterbury Christ Church University College, Broadstairs.  Music as Therapy had a Poster Display and two of the music therapists on the Music as Therapy Advisory Panel, Jane Mayhew and Tiffany Drake (nee Hughes), were available to speak to people interested to find out more about our work, as well as presenting on their clinical practice in this country.  
Å  British Society for Music Therapy/Association of Professional Music Therapists Conference
In 2004, on behalf of Music as Therapy, Alexia Quin presented a paper at this annual conference entitled "Transitional Times".  If you would be interested to receive a copy of this paper, please send us an e-mail.  To purchase copies of all the papers from this conference, please contact the British Society for Music Therapy.

If you would like more information about The British Society of Music Therapy or The Professional Association of Music Therapists follow these links!

Å  Calimanesti Conference
2001 saw an exciting stage of development for music therapy in Romania  when Calimanesti played host to its first International Music Therapy Conference in September. 

 Delegates in the main Conference Hall

The Conference was held as a result of a feasibility study carried out in Romania earlier on in the year and aimed to:

  • To offer a networking opportunity for isolated music specialists in Romania
  • To offer an opportunity for further training in musical workshops
  • To offer theoretical discussions to consolidate understanding of Music Therapy in both theory and practice
  • To discuss the future of Music as Therapy in Romania

Our Romanian Partners each gave a presentation based on how they adapt the music programme within their work place. Without exception, each presentation reflected the dedication and seriousness with which they approach their work. For many, it was the first time they’d presented their work in a professional capacity and most started nervously, reading from prepared papers. However, the papers were laid aside unconsciously as they passionately recounted cases of how music therapy had improved the lives of their clients.

Members of our Advisory Panel of Professional Music Therapists gave presentations or longer more interactive workshops. Wide ranges of subjects within the field were discussed and each therapist focussed on different key areas. Some work shops took on a more psychodynamic approach, whilst others concentrated on more practical applications. Time was allowed at the end for more specific discussions based on any questions raised and it was here that the Romanian Specialists were encouraged to take the lead.

The success of the Conference showed just how committed our Romanian partners are to raising the profile of music therapy in Romania.  In fact, following the event each of our Romanian partners each Specialist has already submitted a short report about the conference and music therapy to their local Child Protection Agency.  The presentations in Calimanesti also confirmed to us all that music therapy continues to improve the quality of  lives of many children and adults in Romania and this in itself  provides the motivation to carry on.