Envisioning the Future of Music Therapy

I am currently engaged in some thoughts about the future of music therapy - as a profession, as a topic of study, and as a way to engage to reach goals. It is an interesting time to be living in, and I am enjoying the thought process of thinking about the "what ifs."

Did you know that there is an entire field of study called "future studies" or "futurology?" Combining ideas from Thomas More, Samuel Madden, and H.G. Wells, folks who study the future often work within complex analysis structures to try to make predictions of what will happen and when. I am just now starting to examine this type of thinking, but I am finding it absolutely fascinating.

I have always enjoyed glimpses into possible futures. I enjoy reading science fiction/fantasy books, and the recent popularity of dystopian story lines shows that I am not alone. It seems that authors that write these stories are often informed by the work of "futurists." 

I think it is time for some thinking about possibilities right now.

Meet Persephone.

She/Her/Hers is a 22 year old future music therapy student in the year 2047.

She has spent most of her education learning about music and human systems, including some work in sociology, anthropology, psychology, biology, anatomy, neurology, and all of these courses again focused through a musical lens.

She has spent little time in the actual presence of her classmate cohort and her professors. She spends most of her learning time in front of her hologram - it's similar to what her grandparents talk about when they describe "school," but it is not the same.

She has finally finished the first part of her studies, is getting a degree in Music Psychology, and will be starting an in-person graduate training at one of three university programs that offer such training in music therapy. 

She has earned the spot in this prestigious training program through good grades, many years of music training, and demonstration of a list of competencies - demonstrated through intense testing during the application process.

Of the three music therapy programs in the world, this program was not her preferred location, but because the competition is so fierce, she is getting ready to move across the world so she can continue her studies.

Her first semester schedule arrived yesterday.

1. The Continuum of Music and Humanity
2. Building Repertoire: Music From the Turn of the Century - Hip-Hop, Country, Pop, and Rock - Music for Older Adults
3. Beginning Clinical Musicianship - Guitar, Keyboard, and Holographic Transmission
4. Clinical Observation - Holographic Therapy Practicum Observation

Of all of these courses, she is looking forward to the Repertoire course the most. Her grandmother has advanced dementia of the Alzheimer's type and Persephone really wants to know a bit about why Gram sings but doesn't speak. Persephone doesn't know much music from that era, but after the class, she may be able to sing to Gram.

 

Persephone is a bit nervous to be heading to an actual classroom. She hears that there are things that are just plain strange. You have to arrive on time - EVERY DAY! You have to be covered in clothing for the entire time. There is no pause button when the professor is talking. You can't go back and do something over again if you don't get it right the first time.

 

This will be an experience, to be sure, but she is ready!

 


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futures_studies
http://hackeducation.com/2020/04/24/future