[Voices: Editorial]

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward.” Kierkegaard (in Collins, 1953 p. 37)

By Cheryl Dileo

As I write this editorial, I am in the midst of preparing my presentation for the annual conference of the Arts and Life Research Center, which I direct at Temple University. This year the conference theme is: “Music Therapy at the End of Life.” My presentation deals with the use of songs in meaning-making for persons who are dying. In my clinical work with hospice patients, I have often used song material to help patients discover what the personal significance of their lives has been and how they feel that they have “made their mark.” Discerning what has been the meaning of one’s existence is indeed one of the final developmental tasks of life (Byock, 1996), and engaging in this final stage of growth is often transformative for the patient.

Several articles in this current issue of Voices underscore the transformative power of music at the end of life. Yumiko Sato’s case example of “Rick” provides a compelling example of the use of music and imagery to access feelings needed to come to terms with one’s life.

The articles by Ken Aigen, Dan Gormley, Peter Jampel, David Ramsey, Benedikte B. Scheiby and Alan Turry highlight what each has perceived as the significance and impact of the life of Sten Roer Andersen not only on him or her personally, but also on the field of music therapy. It seems that only in retrospect could the innovation of Sten’s work be fully appreciated and how his CHOK ROCK band, comprised of his psychiatric clients, represented an early and groundbreaking example of Community Music Therapy practice. Each of the authors writes of Sten’s energy and caring; certainly his ability to bring his band on an international performing tour to the US was no small feat.

Several of the authors used songs to describe Sten’s unique personal attributes, and clearly each of the songs provides a unique portrait of Sten and articulates the special meaning of his life as viewed by the author. Ultimately, the significance of his life was, at least in part, in the musical experiences he shared with others. I did not have the privilege of knowing Sten personally, but can clearly see how he “stepped into peoples’ souls and hearts” as described by Scheiby.

In many ways, we are very fortunate to be music therapists. The significance of the work we do, of the music we make with clients, and of “stepping into their souls and hearts” in music therapy will indeed help us in our final chapters to know that we have made our mark.

This will be my final editorial for Voices. As I look backwards on my experience with Voices during the past 18 months, I feel grateful for having had a role as Co-Editor-in-Chief and for having been able to work with colleagues, Carolyn Kenny and Brynjulf Stige as well as Rune Rolvsjord and Karin Mossler. As Voices moves forward, I wish Susan Hadley and Katrina McFerran much success and am assured that Voices is in exceptionally competent hands.

References

Byock I., (1996) The Nature of Suffering and the Nature of Opportunity at the End of Life Clinics. Geriatric Medicine, 12(2), 237-251.

Collins, J. (1953). The mind of Kierkegaard. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.