The Victoria Conservatory of Music is home to a world-renowned Music Therapy department. The department offers weekly sessions to an average of 1,900 participants. The youngest is under one year old and the oldest, currently, is 107 years old. The VCM Music Therapy department aims to enhance children’s and youth’s lives, and offers a therapeutic, creative, and nonverbal means of expression. What is Music Therapy? Music Therapy is the skillful use of music as a therapeutic tool to restore, maintain, and improve mental, physical, and emotional health. The nonverbal, creative, and affective nature of music facilitates contact, learning, self-expression, communication, and growth. Music Therapy entails playing instruments, singing, rhythmic movements and dancing, improvising, composing, GIM (guided imagery and music), recording, and active listening. Sessions are offered in private or small groups. Each session is carefully designed for each participant or group. Music therapists meet the need of children and youth with developmental and/or physical challenges, neurodivergence, brain injury, conduct and/or behavioural disorders, sensory and/or learning difficulties, and support those in palliative care. Music Therapy improves the quality of life for all. Creative and Nonverbal Expression Music Therapy offers a creative and nonverbal means to expression. Each participant can make choices and deal with structure and goals in a creative way. Music Therapy facilitates contact, learning, self-expression, communication, and growth. Some examples of utilizing a therapeutic, creative, and nonverbal means to expression are: Singing improves speech and language skills, articulation, breath control, communication, expression, and reception. Playing instruments increases gross and fine motor skills such as […]
