I read Michele's column after finishing an evaluation of a qualitative music therapy case study for my qualitative case study research class. Although I am not dealing specifically with arts-based research, I am dealing with the overall area of "qualitative research" -an area that is still finding its place in the annals of music therapy research journals. I understand her frustration and I appreciate her connection of this frustration to the endless questions about music therapy that she and we all face. I tell my students that we are ground breakers (trying to keep it in a positive light as they go out and get bombarded with the same question over and over again- What is Music Therapy?). Just when I think I'm okay with explaining music therapy, the next question comes to me - Why qualitative research in music therapy?
The work of a ground breaker can be tiring, but I always believe that it is rewarding - both along the way, and in the end. What I find ironic is that my class colleagues (mostly Education and Counselor Education) see and understand the beauty of music therapy (among other things) that can be so well represented by qualitative inquiry. In fact, they give no question to the use of this type of interpretation and analysis - but then I talk to my music therapy colleagues (not all of them, mind you) they question my rationale.
So, I stand in a similar place as Michele, and other researchers who are breaking new ground. Although I may not be as visible some, I'm doing the work as best I can, and I'm trying to support those who are visible and who are experiencing the frustration.
h3>Universes of Discourse in Qualitative Music Therapy Research
Resonance - Enjoying the Diversity
The reason to answer Michele Forinash and Kristen M. Chase at this time after thinking about their ideas during the last months is the upcoming "5th International Symposium for Qualitative Music Therapy Research" in Berlin / Sauen, April 2004.
I am familiar with the dilemma as a qualitative researcher to implement music therapy research into the context of for example psychotherapy research at the University of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy in Düsseldorf.
In a process over years, where I lived and worked in this professional field I learned to resonate with this medical context and their questions and gave my presence, believes and competencies as a music therapy clinician and qualitative researcher.
As "ground breakers" Jörg Frommer, the psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychoanalyst, and I were successful in getting support within this field, developed our research, and started an international collaboration together with Kenneth Aigen from the US organizing international symposia ( Langenberg, Frommer, Tress 1992, 1995, Langenberg, Aigen, Frommer 1996 ).
The year 2004 represents the ten-year anniversary of the first meeting in 1994 of qualitative music therapy researchers in Düsseldorf. Qualitative Method was emerging at that time as an important means by which music therapy researchers could broaden their skills of investigation and knowledge building. The Düsseldorf meeting provided an opportunity for the leaders in this field to consolidate their knowledge through sharing ideas and working together on the book which was later published (Langenberg, M., Aigen, K., Frommer, J. (Eds.) "Qualitative Music Therapy Research - Beginning Dialogues", Barcelona Publishers, Gilsum 1996).
Since that time, qualitative research methods have gained acceptance world wide as legitimate and relevant methods by which to investigate music therapy processes. During the past decade, qualitative research in music therapy has been conducted in many countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, Great Britain and the United States of America. An increase in the number of published studies and doctoral theses in music therapy that have used qualitative method is able to be observed. Evaluation criteria have also been published, contributing significantly to the rigour required in this research work.
The forthcoming symposium will build significantly on the scientific work of the previous meetings. Issues foundational to the continued development and refinement of qualitative methods and their application in the scientific work of the music therapy community worldwide will be examined.
Arts-Based Research
This group will focus on the role of the arts in doing qualitative research in music therapy. We will try out, experience and discuss various issues related to arts based forms, approaches and techniques used as research methods in music therapy for collecting, describing and analysing data as well as vehicles for presenting research results. The arts forms include music, movement, story telling, poetry, art, play, etc.
Qualitative Methodology in Context
This group will focus on issues surrounding the use of qualitative methodology in music therapy research. Direction and focus of discussions will be determined by the interests and concerns of the group members. The roots of research philosophy that provide the basis for the choice of methodology for music therapy research will be examined. Areas of carryover among methodologies will be examined. Reasons for selecting one methodology over another will be discussed. A variety of means of exploring the issues may be utilized.
Music and Culture
The Music and Culture group will focus on music and music making within the construct of "culture". This group will consider any and all questions that relate to the various social contexts in which music is engaged and examine how they relate to theory and qualitative research in music therapy. For many years, a majority of music therapy researchers have been attached to research practices characteristic of psychology and medicine. The Music and Culture group will discuss the value of philosophical and methodological ideas from fields such as anthropology, ethnomusicology, religious studies, and cultural studies.
Musical Analysis in Qualitative Research
The Musical Analysis in Qualitative Research Group will consider the role of music, specifically, in the therapeutic process in music therapy. Members will focus on how we analyze the musical elements of music therapy processes in our qualitative research projects, and how we represent the meanings of these analyses in an effort to elaborate our understanding of music therapy with diverse patient and client populations.
The IMB, Internationales Musiktherapie Institut Berlin, a new founded institute of the Universität der Künste Berlin is now the host of the "5th International Symposium for Qualitative Music Therapy Research"
The symposium will take place April 21 - 25, 2004 as closed conference in the manor house of the University of the Arts in Sauen, Mark Brandenburg. The results of the four main issues will be presented on:
Monday, April 26th, 2004
2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. Results of the Symposium
6.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. Opening the summer semester 2004, Faculty of Music
-Welcome of the Dean, Prof.Dr.Patrick Dinslage
-History and Issues of the International Symposia, Prof.Dr.Mechtild Jahn-Langenberg
Presentations:
Kenneth Aigen, DA: Qualitative Music Therapy Research from Consolidation to Differentiation
Carolyn Kenny, PhD: Music Therapy Research: The Cultural Connections
Universität der Künste Berlin
Location: Fasanenstrasse 1b, Fakultät Musik, Kammersaal
Participants:
Aasgaard, Trygve - Olso, Norway
Aigen, Kenneth - New York, USA
Amir, Dorit - Tel Aviv, Israel
Ansdell, Gary - London, UK
Austin, Diane - New York, USA
Edwards, Jane - Limerick, Ireland
Forinash, Michele - Cambridge, USA
Frommer, Jörg - Magdeburg, Germany
Grocke, Denise - Melbourne, Australia
Hoffmann, Peter - Witten, Germany
Jahn-Langenberg, Mechtild - Berlin, Germany
Kenny, Carolyn - Santa Barbara, USA
Koch-Temming, Hedwig - Berlin, Germany
Kondo, Satomi - Hokkaido, Japan
Lee, Colin - Waterloo, Canada
Procter, Simon - London, UK
Robarts, J.Z. - London, UK
Rolvsjord, Randi - Sandane, Norway
Smeijsters, Henk - Sittard, The Netherlands
Turry, Alan - New York, USA
Tüpker, Rosemarie - Münster, Germany
Weymann, Eckard - Hamburg, Germany
Wheeler, Barbara - Louisville, USA
We invite all music therapists and researchers who are interested in qualitative research to participate in this international dialogue process.
References:
Langenberg, M., Frommer, J., Tress, W. ( 1992 ) : Qualitative Methodik zur Beschreibung und Interpretation musiktherapeutischer Behandlungswerke. Musiktherapeutische Umschau, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp..258 - 278.
Langenberg, M., Frommer, J., Tress, W. ( 1995 ) From Isolation To Bonding: A Music Therapy Case Study Of a Patient with Chronic Migraines. The Arts in Psychotherapy, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 87 - 101.
Langenberg, M., Aigen, K., Frommer, J., Eds. ( 1996 ) Qualitative Music Therapy Research - Beginning Dialogues, Barcelona Publishers, Gilsum.
I have a feeling that Michelle Forinash is not the only one who gets that "old familiar feeling" of discomfort when it comes to communicating about music therapy. While I do not yet have quite the same problem that Forinash does in talking about research, I do understand her frustration. I am on the verge of completing my music therapy education, and despite many attempts at explanations, I do not think my parents, much less most of my friends, completely understand what I am studying.
I imagine that most, if not all, music therapists have some degree of difficulty when it comes to explaining to others exactly what they do. I think the problem is that music therapy is a field that cannot be narrowed down to a short definition. While one can explain to others what he or she does in an attempt to define music therapy, sometimes people do not want an explanation because they do not care that much, or they lose interest. I have had this experience before. There have been occasions when others ask me what music therapy is. I reply with a broad definition, and then give examples of how that works in specific populations. Sometimes this works. At other times I can tell that the person I am talking to has either misunderstood me or does not care. I can imagine the frustration that would result when music therapists misunderstand each other when trying to share ideas about music therapy.
Being able to clearly communicate about music therapy is crucial if the field is to grow. Obviously, there is a gap in understanding that needs to be bridged. While it is important that music therapists learn how to communicate what they do, it is also important that those people who don't know about music therapy be patient in trying to grasp the concept of music therapy. Music therapists could help bridge the gap by trying to make their work more visible outside of the world of music therapy. One example of this is contacting the local news networks to get information out about music therapy. Not very long ago, one of the news stations reported on a music therapy program and music library that began at one of the local hospitals. It was informative and helped to spread the word about music therapy. It was also very beneficial for me-it allowed my parents and friends to understand more of what I was doing.
Despite explanations and demonstrations of music therapy, there will still be people who still do not quite understand why music therapy is so beneficial. As for these people, it is probably better to spend your time on more important things, like planning sessions or presentations. Sometimes explanations are not enough for people to understand. Perhaps they will learn firsthand later on about the positive effects of music therapy, and then understand. Sometimes people only learn by experience.
While I do not have any suggestions or solutions to Michelle's problem or my problem, I know one thing we can all do: just keep trying. Sometimes the best way to learn is to learn from our mistakes. When one explanation does not work, make note of it and try something new the next time. Eventually someone will find an answer.