Music therapy is at its halfway point. With the decree of last December 6, the profession, the relative fields of application and the virtuous intertwining with the Universities make a great leap forward for the benefit of those who want to take this path and those who can benefit from the gift that music brings with it and that the music therapist is able to amplify with a spirit of service and high training towards those who experience significant hardships at various levels. Precisely to share this springboard, conquered after years and years of battles and commitment by music therapists, on Monday 20 December at 11 a press conference will be held at Palazzo Madama, at the Sala Caduti di Nassirya in which many experts in the sector will take part. each of which will focus on specific aspects of the path carried out since 1981, if we look at the private schools born in Italy and, from 2006 if we refer instead to the first official course of music therapy held by the Italian state conservatories of L’Aquila and of Verona. The house honors will be Senator Paola Binetti, psychiatrist and parliamentary intergroup president for rare diseases. With her also the senator and musician Loredana Russo.
Already in the Middle Ages (other than the dark age!) There were those who, like the nun and philosopher Hildegard of Binden, considered dance and music as a means of healing for people who have fallen into mental disorder and, after centuries, at the end of the 18th century a London doctor and musician, Richard Brocklesby, realizes the importance and necessity of a knowledge of music as a science in order to apply it in the treatment of mental disorders by dedicating a specific treatise to it. But time has not been a master if it was necessary to reach 2021 to give, through a master’s degree, full dignity and recognition to professionals who apply music in the psychiatric field as is the case with autism spectrum disorders or more generalized states of anxiety – in our time as common as it is harmful – in the geriatric field to help the treatment of dementia, and finally in the medical field, to support patients undergoing chemotherapy. But it is never too late. And from now on, the figure of the Music Therapist, strong in well-defined contours (musical skills acquired in the conservatory and scientific skills acquired at the University thanks to ad hoc agreements), can offer society greater support and ‘certified’ professionalism.
The first stone of this new course has therefore been laid. And on December 20 the Senate will analyze all the benefits, deepening the implications of the novelty that the decree brings as a dowry, namely the recognition of the profession of music therapist for those who have attended the three-year period followed by the two-year specialization in a State Music Conservatory in agreement with the University.
Maria Letizia Melina, secretary general of the Mur, will discuss the possibilities that open up with a second level academic diploma in ‘Theories and techniques in music therapy’ (made possible by the decree of 6 December); Antonella Zenga, musician, teacher of music therapy at the Conservatory; Marzia Zingarelli, musician, conservatory teacher, delegate for Dsa and disabilities; Bruno Carioti, musician, expert at the Working Table on Mur Music Therapy; Stefano Guidi, delegate of the Conference of Directors of the Music Conservatories; Chiara Berti, delegate of the National University Council; Beatrice Gargano, musician, teacher of music therapy at the Conservatory.
A course, the one in ‘Theories and techniques in music therapy’, which aims, explains Senator Binetti, to “train qualified musicians able to make a professional use of music and its elements as a form of intervention in the medical field , educational and daily life with individuals, groups, families and communities “.
The training plan, which will be at the center of the issues addressed on Monday at Palazzo Madama, again highlights the parliamentarian, “integrates musical training aimed at music therapy purposes with training in the psychological, medical and pedagogical area, for professional insertion in rehabilitation programs and care “. The aim of the course, in essence, is “to develop design skills and techniques for the conscious and targeted use of sound and music in the various sectors: educational-preventive, personal and social integration / development, rehabilitation and therapeutic”.
(by Veronica Marino)
Source-www.adnkronos.com