Hi my daughter is very interested in a career in music therapy.

She is currently studying for her GCSE's . She is doing her work experience in Sept wth our local music agency, and is hoping to spend some time with one of the county's music therapists to gain more insight into the career.She intends to take music A level, and then study at university.
Having searched the net, and UCAS, she has seen a degree course at the University of Derby, which is called Creative Therapies, where you can specialise in music, art, dance or drama. Has anyone any knowledge of this course or any others which could lead to joining the post grad course?
Is anyone out there, currently at uni, wanting to train to be a music therapist or any music therapists on the boards who can offer any helpful advice?
She knows she has plenty of time, but would like to have some ideas, and do some further research.

Thanks in anticipation!

I just did a music degree and have considered music therapy. I did my honours dissertation on this subject. I think most music degrees are acceptable. Try and look for one that offers classes in community music, psychology/sociology in music. Psychology degrees are also considered as this is a big part of music therapy. I think you have to show good performance level as well, I think grade 8 piano and at least one other.

What postgrad course is she thinking of? I know one at Guildhall, there's a few others, can't remember. Hope that's of use.

Oh dear, was considering music therapy but grade 8 piano, not a chance!

Check out different requirements - they are bound to differ and grade 8 piano doesn't seem that relevant for music therapy, though the ability to play at a lower level would certainly be very advantageous.

Here is one page listing some approved courses and other requirements.

http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/jo...ist.cfm?fd=1255

I have a friend who is a music therapist - she trained at Nordoff-Robbins and certainly had to be an excellent pianist prior to being accepted. She has to be able to improvise freely and in just about any style.

I THINK I am right in saying that you can't train as a music therapist until you are 25.

One of my 13 year-old students wanting to do a day's work shadowing of my friend was told that she was far too young to do so, as my friend works a lot with people who have severe emotional/physical problems, which could be quite unsettling for a young person to see and to deal with.

A lot of the work can be emotionally very harrowing and I think this is one of the reasons that you have to be emotionally very mature before you start the training.

My friend's background was as a secondary school music and private clarinet teacher prior to doing her music therapy training in her early 30s.

Thanks everyone for all your replies.

We have learnt so much since checking out the various websites, attached to the connexions link earlier, thanks neil.clarinet.

You should be a minimum of 23 years old. Nordoff-Robbins ask for a min of 25. You do have to be of a high standard on piano, it does not state Grade 8, and at least one other instrument.

There are about 6 places which run the course.

I think it might be sensible for her to start piano lessons then!! She plays flute to Gr8, but has no experience on the piano at all!!
When she does her work exp, it would be in a special school, which would be fine. She has a severely disabled brother, so would not be fazed by disability in children.

http://search.ucas.co.uk/cgi-bin/hsrun/sea...un?n=691045#1-2

http://www.derby.ac.uk/C3_ug.asp?Id=430&SubjectID=93

This is the link to the course at Derby, any thoughts on the course??

what does a Music Therapy do? i would like to be one too. do they teach disable children play and sing?

I did this - and I spent one day with a music therapist, and I have to say it is a very fulfilling career choice!

The lady gave me some advice if I was looking to go into this career - they DO NOT generally take young gradutes, you talking 25ish to do the course. She did a straight music degree then specailised - but this really means a lot of years at University, so make sure its what she really wants to do!

I worked with severly disabled children, and I have to say it was quite and amazing day!

Becky

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