Volume 2 (1) 2010 – Article
Music Therapy and Culture: An Essential Relationship?
Daisy Morris
Abstract
Whilst being interviewed by Brynjulf Stige for the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (volume 10, issue 1), Kenneth Aigen said “I do not think it is reasonable to think that we could automatically work with someone from a very different culture” (Aigen 2001: 90). Standing alone, this passage spoken by Aigen may give a negative impression. This paper will aim to put the above statement in context and think carefully about what Aigen might be suggesting. Through an honest and open exploration of the questions the statement raises, a realistic and more optimistic dialogue which was hidden beneath the words is unearthed. Through the deconstruction of Aigen’s statement this paper investigates our attitudes as music therapists towards culture and music and the preconceptions and assumptions which may arise. This paper will stress how a willingness to explore and broaden not only our attitudes towards culture, but also the confines of our musical ability, can result in an expansion of our knowledge, awareness and receptiveness. This, in turn, could lead to a practice of music therapy which is more fruitful and successful, one in which we are clinically open and prepared for whatever our clients might bring to or need from their sessions.
Keywords: music therapy, culture, musical resources, identity
Biography
Daisy Morris is a second year student on the Masters of Music Therapy programme at Nordoff Robbins, London, UK. She is currently on placement one day a week at Open House; a community mental health setting run by Mind in Tower Hamlets (M.I.T.H), London, an affiliation of the national mental health charity ‘Mind’. Daisy has a degree in music (BA hons) from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and then continued with a classical music training at Prague Conservatory of Music. She worked in London in arts management and administration for several years before deciding to train as a music therapist.
Email: morrisdaisy@hotmail.com