Personal Narrative: How Music Therapy Changed My Life

In hindsight, I have come a long way since my first day of band. There have been many friends, many failures, many victories, and many beautiful moments in the wake of my fateful decision in sixth grade. I can say without a doubt that being in band has strengthened my integrity and provided me with memories that I will cherish throughout the remainder of my

I was sitting in my dad’s car while going to the store when he asked me if I wanted to join the band in sixth grade. I thought to myself for a moment, but decided I wanted to. When I agreed, my dad asked me what instrument I was interested in playing. Once again I thought for a moment and then I made my decision to play the trumpet. Joining band has shaped me into the person I am today, because I discovered something about myself that I probably would never have found, I made more friends, and I can now play a few different instruments and read most music.

Music therapy is a very broad term for this branch of therapy. There are several sub specialties under the umbrella of music therapy. The treatment types can range from teaching the patient to play an instrument, to simply listening to specific types of music to control anxiety, depression, pain, ect., to using the tone of music to help people with autism communicate. Each area of music therapy has shown substantial progress

At the end of my eighth grade year, I had to choose my classes for the upcoming year. I had taken band three years prior and I was inevitably going to continue on with it, but there were two options for band at Pattonville High School. I had to pick between marching band and concert band. Concert band would be similar to the setting in middle school, which is what I was so adjusted to. Marching band, on the other hand, was a whole new concept. Marching band consisted of moving around the football field while playing music, which on the surface appeared too complicated for me. My brother participated in marching band prior to me, so I already formed an opinion on the activity on my own. I definitely was not going to join the marching band, well at least that was what I thought.

They had warned me it would be lots of after school rehearsals, clinics I would have to attend, and concerts I would have to attend as well. I told myself I could definitely do it. So I accepted the invitation and joined the top group. From being in the symphonic band my 7th and 8th grade year, I knew I had matured as a player tenfold. Then, high school came around. I told myself all the time that I would be the best one there as a freshman. Oh boy, was I wrong. When I went for freshman band camp in 2010, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Learning to march in time with the band and having to memorize the music all at once, I told myself I was fool coming here. But the passion I had for music kept me going. So I suffered through band camp for 4 weeks in a row. Memorizing the music, marching and playing at the same time definitely made me mature as a

When I joined marching band, I never intended to become so involved. I only saw it as a chance to make friends. Yet, without my realizing it, I quickly became immersed in band. As the years went by, I developed a love for band, the people in it, even the way it felt to perform. I was a shy person; I lived in a bubble of what was safe, what was comfortable. I kept my thoughts to myself and kept others at a distance. So of course, it was a shock to both my friends and myself when I decided to audition for drum

At the time I had been in band for five years. All of my close friends were in band and we

I started band in the 6th grade, I honestly thought that I wasn’t going to make it to my senior year, but here I am a senior in band. I am not forced to be in band I can get out at anytime anyday, but I choose not to. It is hard when you are marching and it feels like 100+ degrees. You feel like you want to pass out, but you just have to suck it up and be tough. Throughout the years I have been in band I have created friendships. I have my closest friends in band. I have created many memories in band that will last a lifetime, that I will share one day with my kids. I do not know what I would do without band. Getting in band has been the best decision I have ever made. Band has been the highlight of my high school years. One of the scariest moments I have experienced in band was when we messed up at U.I.L. contest, I was terrified I did not want us to make a 2, it all happened so fast. It was time to get our results, we made a 1, I was so happy. The judges said that if you were to close your eyes and listening to us, you would not know we messed up. We never stopped playing and we recovered so fast, we were so matured when this happened. Band takes up

Thesis: Music Therapy is a skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

I have been actively participating in the school band for five years. While most of my fellow classmates have dropped out of band, I have stuck with it because, I know band teaches me valuable

It is surprising to realize the practice of one small therapy could impact the world in a big and positive way. Music therapy is the practice of using music to better the lives of people with motor, cognitive, and speech disabilities, along with surgical patients. This is achieved by redirecting neural networks in the brain with certain types of music selected for that specific patient. This is not a field for every musician however, only educated students who are board certified should practice music therapy for the safety for the patients. Although many people believe music therapy should not be considered a therapy, it should be considered a mainstream beneficial medical practice and used worldwide. It greatly increases the education of mentally disabled children, surgical patients have a safer option for pain reduction, and it creates employment for people who are interested in a career dealing with music.

According to James Madison University's website, Music is a very prominent entity embedded in millions’ of people’s lives. Music has the ability to change a person’s emotions, just through the different chords, lyrics, and structure. Over time, society has generated many different uses for music, one being its benefit in the therapeutic field. One unique occupation, that I personally have taken an interest in, would be profession in music therapy.. As a result of my creative, music oriented, sensitive and idealistic nature, I have decided to further my pursuit of a career in the field of Music Therapy at the reputable James Madison University. Ultimately, my goal is to help people conquer their fears, emotional damage, disorders and mental disabilities through music.

The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as "the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems."(Patterson, p1) Today music therapy is used in hospitals, prisons, and schools. Though it is mainly used for people with disabilities, it also provides for people with other health concerns.

Music therapy has been around for over a hundred year. It is getting new attention. It is helping in everything from sleep to brain injuries. Many medical facilities are proving it benefits in treating illness and injuries.

Music therapy is therapy where music is used to help people mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It helps treat people from brain injuries and helps patients recover. Music therapy is used for people with medical problems. Music therapy has helped soldiers that were in the Army. Some lost legs, arms, and even an eye. Taking music therapy makes them feel different when they see and feel music. Music therapy helps change their mood because it helps them feel happy, when they are feeling down. Music therapy allows them to see more about themselves. Music therapy works by the way it stimulates the brain. Patients hear the music and it allows them to feel better. They also play instruments. It helps people that have brain