Introduction to the Special Section Commemorating Tony Wigram

By Cheryl Dileo, Lars Ole Bonde & Denise Grocke

This special section of the November edition of Voices commemorates the professional contributions of our friend and colleague, Tony Wigram, who passed away in June, 2011. Tony was a highly prominent international figure for the past 30 years who made numerous contributions to the field of music therapy through his research, his professional service, his teaching and his clinical work.

As Co-Editors of this section, we've invited several of his colleagues who knew him best to contribute articles on various aspects of his professional life. Helen Odell Miller describes his early days as a trainee and music therapist and some of his contributions to the recognition of music therapy in the U.K. Gro Trondalen and Monika Nöcker Ribaupierre detail Tony's key role in the establishment of the European Music Therapy Committee (EMTC), and Jos De Backer, who followed Tony as President of the EMTC, offers a personal thanks to him. Denise Grocke provides an overview of the various international collaborations spearheaded by Tony including his pivotal role as President of the World Federation of Music Therapy from 1996-1999. Inge Nygaard Pedersen details Tony's major influence on music therapy in Denmark and on the Music Therapy Program at Aalborg University. In a similar manner, Lars Ole Bonde addresses Tony's great success in guiding post-graduate research at Aalborg. Conversely, speaking from their experience of Tony as a research supervisor, Cochavit Elefant and Felicity Baker poignantly describe Tony's deep impression on their professional lives. Ulla Holck and Stine L. Jacobsen discuss yet another aspect of Tony's contributions, i.e., his work in music therapy assessment. Lastly, Christian Gold writes of Tony's extensive research, and Lars Ole Bonde provides a comprehensive list of Tony's publications.

There are also several articles in Tony's own voice. We've included an article by Tony himself describing his experiences as "An Englishman in Denmark," as well as the powerpoint file of his stunning keynote presentation at the European Music Therapy Congress in Cadiz, Spain in May, 2010. This was to be his last public presentation, and it was indeed one of if not his best presentation ever. In addition, we've included an interview of Tony conducted by Lars Ole Bonde and Inge Nygaard Petersen in early 2011 after the onset of the illness that ultimately took his life. Thus, we have in Tony's own words his reflections on his early days and clinical work and on various aspects of music therapy.

Most importantly, we would hope that this special section of Voices can in some small way honor Tony Wigram, the exceptional music therapy clinician, professor, researcher, leader in the field and unforgettable human being who touched our lives so deeply and whose memory will long be cherished by those who knew him.

Co-Editors: Cheryl Dileo, Lars Ole Bonde, Denise Grocke