MA in Music Therapy
Master
In Barbican
Description
-
Type
Master
-
Location
Barbican
-
Duration
2 Years
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
In general, candidates in their mid-twenties and above are preferred. Applications from mature students should demonstrate experience of a period of paid or voluntary work outside of full-time education. Experience of working with those who have a physical or learning difficulty would be highly beneficial.
Entry to this training demands a high standard of musicianship, a mature personality compatible with training as a therapist, and graduate level academic skills. Applicants are therefore expected to have completed an honours degree.
Reviews
Course programme
This two-year programme aims to realise the full potential of students' individual musicianship and equip them with the clinical therapeutic knowledge and skills to qualify and work as registered music therapists. Students gain clinical experience with adults and children in a variety of settings including:
- Psychiatry
- Special education
- Learning disability
- Communication disorders
It prepares students for employment in health, education, social and community service and the voluntary sector. Graduates from the programme are eligible for HPC Registration and full membership of the professional association (APMT).
The programme is influenced by psycho-dynamic approaches to therapy and all music therapy students are required to have their own personal therapy during training. The cost of these personal therapy sessions are not included in the price of programme and must be covered separately by the student. Experience of personal psychotherapy prior to training is highly recommended.
Musical Audition
At the audition, candidates are expected to demonstrate a high standard in their Principal Study (usually diploma level). The department is particularly interested in sensitive and expressive musical communication, and the potential to develop improvisational skills, alongside technical skill. Keyboard skills will also be tested. Second study and keyboard skills must be of minimum grade 5 standard.
To be prepared by the candidate:
- two contrasting pieces on principal study instrument. (At least one must be drawn from the 18th-20th Century classical repertoire.)
- a piece on the second study
- a short, simple piece for unaccompanied voice, such as a folk song (ideally from memory)
Unseen - Presented to the candidate at the audition:
- some simple sight-singing (and, if deemed necessary, keyboard sight reading)
- free improvisation
- simple keyboard harmony
- interactive improvisation with a member of the panel and exercises to assess listening skills and flexible musicianship
No candidate can enter the programme if he/she fails to satisfy the audition panel on purely musical grounds. Those who pass the musical audition proceed to the interview.
Interview
This will take place on a later date after the audition and is divided into three parts. The two individual interviews are with:
- the Head of Music Therapy, and
- a qualified, experienced psychotherapist, external to the music therapy programme, who helps to assess the applicant's personal readiness to undertake training.
Additional information
MA in Music Therapy