Author: Roman Music Therapy

Home for the Holidays

It’s that time of year again when everything gets a little added ‘sparkle’ and the sounds you hear are a little merrier. The Melrose Chamber of Commerce hosts its own ode to the holidays with its Home for the Holidays weekend celebration, happening this year from December 2^nd through December 3^rd.

The fun starts Friday night around 6pm at City Hall on Main Street. There, Roman Music Therapy Services’ team of music therapists will help herald in the holidays with a repertoire of carols. The lights on the Christmas Tree at City Hall and those decorating Main Street will be turned on as Santa arrives in Melrose, riding through the center of town on a firetruck! Many businesses along the route take part with cookie and hot chocolate offerings and a chance to a get a photo with the big man himself!

On Saturday, December 3^rd, the city will be full of fairs, performances, sales, specials and tastings that last throughout the weekend. Be sure to take advantage of the special holiday trolley that runs on Saturday, taking shoppers through the shopping districts for free. The trolley will run from 10AM-2PM.

Check The Chamber’s website for more details such as trolley route and map of participating businesses.

Spread the Cheer

This year, Roman Music Therapy Services is pleased to partner with The Community Outreach Coordinator at Hallmark Health to provide holiday gifts to some of their Emarc families in need. As an agency that works closely with Emarc in our own capacity, this opportunity is dear to our hearts.

You can donate to a needy young adult or child by picking an ornament from the ‘giving tree’ in our front office. The ornament will provide details on the holiday wish list for someone in the community relying on the generosity of others this holiday season.

Gifts may be wrapped, must be new, and should have the ornament attached on to it so we know who it is for. Hallmark Health will be collecting all presents the week of December 12^th for distribution.

Let’s make someone’s holiday, together!

On October 1, 2016, we will be celebrating our 10th year of making music in the community, and we want you to help us!

Join us at Melrose’s Memorial Hall from 11:30-2:00 for music, food, and a community drum circle!

Register online or call the office at 781-224-3300

Music Therapy, like other forms of therapy, does not conform its practitioners to one model. Here at Roman Music Therapy Services, we use an integrated model. Clients to come to us with unique needs and we work together with them to create a success-oriented plan that helps them meet their personal goals drawing from multiple ways of thinking about music therapy.  There are many different models of music therapy that echo current research and evidence based practice. Our music therapist chooses a model of practice or uses a variety of music therapy strategies and interventions according to what benefits the client. It is also important that when seeking a music therapist, a client is well informed and can find a therapist that is right for them.

According to Meredith Pizzi, MT-BC,  the way of practicing at Roman Music Therapy Services is also closely aligned with the needs of the community.

Our work here at Roman Music Therapy Services is deeply rooted in the communities of the schools, agencies and families we serve. As a community music therapy agency, our clinical work tends to focus on the needs of the community or the individual within their community. Whether we are providing individual services, family-based afterschool groups, or group music therapy services in a school, nursing home, adult day health program, our team is always considering the needs of the individual in relationship to the world and environment around them. We believe that our work in music therapy sessions with our clients can create ripple effects in the home, schools, and in all of our communities. We also believe that by providing services in community settings, we can better support our clients in their own personal and interpersonal growth with opportunities for engagement and meaningful relationships within their communities. Our work is goal driven, focused on the needs of the individual or group members and uses all of the tools of music to help our clients reach their goals. We believe that the work that we do can best be defined as Community Music Therapy. -Meredith R. Pizzi, MT-BC

As our Mission Statement says,

Roman Music Therapy Services strives to meet the diverse needs of the community within schools, nursing homes, senior centers, and community health and service agencies through music therapy experiences, education, and resources.  Our team of music therapists use the power of music to support personal and interpersonal growth and enhance the life of the community.  Using musical tools, new possibilities and opportunities are created for our clients to reach their full potential.

Other models of Music Therapy

Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (NRMT)

Perhaps one of the most well research and well-documented models of music therapy, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy or NRMT was developed by Dr. Paul Nordoff and Dr. Clive Robbins in 1961. NRMT is centered on “the belief that everyone possesses a sensitivity to music that can be utilized for personal growth and development”. NRMT allows music therapists and clients to come together in an active music-making environment that fosters success through support and expression. NRMT is famous for its work with children with special needs, but is also suitable for use with individuals searching for creative personal development, and those in psychiatric settings.

For more information please head to their website: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/nordoff/training-programs

Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)

Developed at Colorado State University by Michael Thaut PhD, NMT uses music therapeutically to stimulate patients with neurologic diseases that affect the nervous system. This research-based therapy is founded in the science of music effects on the “nonmusical brain”.  NMT’s four focus areas are as follows: Cognition, sensory, speech, and movement/coordination. NMT methods are used in many settings, some of the most common populations include: Alzheimer’s, Autism, Parkinson’s, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and many more.

For more information please visit their website: http://www.colostate.edu/dept/cbrm/institute.htm

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)

Developed by Helen Lindquist Bonny (1921-2010), the Bonny Method of Guided of Imagery and Music or GIM, is described as a “music-centered exploration of consciousness” using “specifically sequenced” music to stimulate imagery experiences.  There is openness in this practice established by the therapist and client. Goals and focus of the session are determined together in efforts to accomplish the meeting the needs of the individual. Sessions are one-to-one and can last up to two hours.  A client is lead through a guided relaxation, which leads into the exploration of “deeper state of consciousness” through the use of classical western music.  The experience is then discussed in an open format with the therapist to help further develop an understanding of the inner self.

For more information please head to their website: http://ami-bonnymethod.org

Aside from the three listed above, there are many other methods of practicing music therapy, and most are individualized by the therapist adapted to fit the needs of their clients. Some other methods of music therapy include:

• Analytical Music Therapy
• Behavioral Music Therapy
• Benenzon Music Therapy
• Clinical Orff Schulwerk Music Therapy
• Free Improvisation Music Therapy

Click on the names above to find out more about what each method has to offer.

Lately I have been having all of these cool thoughts about how music can be used more effectively in our everyday lives. I decided to compile all of it into a convenient blog posting for you! Enjoy!

1. Turn on the Music at home.  Sometimes we get so busy and caught up in the things we have to do, we don’t even take a minute to walk over to the stereo and turn it on. Try it in the morning when you’re getting ready for your day or getting the kids off to school. Try it in the afternoon when you need to get yourself moving again in the office and you are trying to resist yet another cup of coffee! And at the end of the day, when you just want to put up your feet for 3 minutes, put on your favorite go-to song to help de-stress and relax your body.

2. Have a favorite song stuck in your head? Give it another few minutes of thought… Why is that song in your head at this moment? What are the lyrics? What is the theme or mood of the song? When is the last time you heard that song played? Taking a moment to discover why this song has presented itself is a wonderful opportunity for introspection.

3. Music for Childbirth – Music is an effective pain management tool for labor and delivery. It’s one of the areas in which I want to do a lot more work! I have consulted with expectant parents about what music to use in labor and delivery, how to choose the best songs for you and tips and tricks for using music in the hospital. If you are expecting a new little one, or know someone who is, think about how much can make labor and delivery an incredibly pleasant and joyful experience! People don’t believe me, but I love childbirth and it’s because of the great associations I have with the music I listened to for each labor.

4. Lolo iPod/iPhone apps – Do you ever get stuck on the treadmill or the elliptical struggling to get through a workout? I have discovered the coolest music and workout application. It uses an incredible beat-sync technology that takes your favorite tunes, analyzes the beats per minute in the song and then uses that at appropriate times in the work out to get your body moving! Lolo is so cool, it can even speed up and slow down your tunes to match the workout exactly, without losing the pitch of the songs. Intervals at the gym are finally enjoyable with your favorite tunes speeding up and slowing you down. This is an amazing use of music and technology to increase your physical activity.