[In Memory of Sten Roer Andersen (1948-2013)]

Sten Roer Anderson: Remembered by Alan Turry

Sten was perhaps the most energetic, joyful and intense person I have ever met. His impact on me was more than professional. He guided, goaded, persuaded, and supported me as we collaborated off and on for more than 25 years. I suspect that he did that for most everyone that he came into contact with in his quest to bring stimulation, intensity, and life affirming musical experiences to clients in need.

Sten came to New York in the mid-1980s in search of someone who was using rock music with psychiatric patients. He came with a team from the Risskov Hospital in Aahrus, Denmark to observe groups I was running at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. At first I did not know what to make of him. He was single minded in his interest. Though I was integrating many types of contemporary music into my music therapy practice, he was solely interested in rock music. This reflected his belief that much was being done to comfort patients, to soothe them, but not enough was being done to stimulate them, to activate them, to create a sense of excitement and camaraderie among them.

I took part in the inauguration of "CHOK ROCK" (always in capital letters!), the program that he created at his hospital to bring rock music experiences to his patients. I was honored to be the keynote speaker at a daylong seminar he organized, and also ran music therapy groups at the hospital. I spoke no Danish, and at that point was unfamiliar with Danish pop and folk songs. Yet, Sten had faith that the musical experience would allow all the participants, me included, to transcend our cultural backgrounds and create powerful and meaningful musical experiences. The groups were observed by other members of the hospital staff and fortunately were clearly successful, and helped to launch a music therapy program at the hospital that has lasted for over two decades.

Sten was earnest in studying music therapy. Because of his constant sense of humor and fun loving nature, it was not always obvious to observers how serious he could be. Yes, he was zany, but he was also very sophisticated, sensitive and intelligent. He wanted to understand music psychotherapy and he took great pains to observe and process music therapy sessions. We would have long conversations on the power and meaning of clinical interventions. He was willing to accept my guidance as I challenged him to explain his ideas on music therapy. He took the profession seriously and worked on understanding himself better in order to grow as a professional. Yet, Sten did not hesitate to take risks, try ideas that were "outside of the box." In that respect he reminded me of other pioneers we have had in our profession.

He was charismatic. You always knew when Sten was around (though you did not know when he might appear, despite being 3800 miles away!). And he always was able to create a sense of connection and belonging among people, whether it was playing music or trying to play basketball (he was much better at "football"). He could make a routine train commute an event to remember.

Most of all Sten cared. He cared about people, he cared about his patients, he cared about his family, he cared about his friends. He had an artful way of lightening the mood when it needed to be lightened. He was someone who could make you laugh just by saying your name. His patients loved him and loved playing music with him. Yes, let’s face it, Sten wanted to be a rocker himself. He was gratified to be playing on stage with his patients. But he was able to create experiences for patients that were meaningful and long lasting.

Thank you, Sten, for all that you have contributed to the profession, and thank you for our friendship. I will miss you.