The European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC) has announced that the first ever European Music Therapy Day will be on Saturday 15 November, with the Gesallschaft fir Musiktherapie zu Lëtzebuerg (GML) actively participating and organising related initiatives, which will take place all over Luxembourg from Tuesday 11 to Monday 17 November.
This Day is an exciting, creative and innovative initiative by the EMTC, and as a member, which aims to promote and develop the professional practice of music therapy and encourage the collaboration between member nations, the GML will let the music do the talking (“rhythm of life”) on European Music Therapy Day.
Throughout the day, presentations will be held and music therapists, specialising in music and health will run workshops in Luxembourg and around Europe, demonstrating the benefits music therapy can bring to one’s health and well-being.
Music is an important aspect and plays a significant role in daily life. It can stimulate or calm down, be joyful or intense, trigger memories and resonate with feelings and help in expressing and communicating with other people. It is often a subconscious part of life, leaving one unaware of just how influential music can be.
Music therapy is based on scientific research, using the various components of rhythm, melody and tone as a means of therapeutic communication. Music therapists are therefore professionals who have undergone extensive training and are able to act on behalf of clients in a responsible manner. They work with a wide variety of people – children and/or adults with learning difficulties, autism or behavioural disorders, adults with depression or trauma and even adults suffering from Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s.
The use of music therapy in many areas is effective, efficient and contributes to holistic care, and in Europe, over 5,000 certified music therapists work in public health institutions or private practices. However, they only ultimately reach a small portion of people in need of help.
In light of the European Music Therapy Day, the GML will be organising many related activities around the Grand-Duchy.
On the Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00 at the Conservatoire de Musique in Luxembourg-Merl, the GML will have an information stand open for questions and queries and also organise presentations at different locations throughout the week:
- Tuesday 11 November, 15:00 to 17:00, at Cabinet de Psychologie in Grevenmacher, Presentation by Marianne Barthelemy-Schomer from GML, vocal therapy.
- Wednesday 12 November, 16:00 to 18:00, at Service de musicothérapie at Institut St. Joseph in Betzdorf, Presentation by Martine Wallenborn from GML.
- Saturday 15 November, 10:00 to 12:00, at Cabinet de musicothérapie integrative/sana-via institute in Schwebach, Presentation by Marianne Wiltgen-Sanavia from GML.
- Saturday 15 November, all afternoon at Conference Room at the Conservatoire de Musique in Luxembourg-Merl, Presenation by Isabelle Dartevelle-Toussaint from GML.
- Saturday 15 November, 14:00 to 18:00, at Villa Sonneblumm at CHNP in Ettelbruck, Presentation by Dominique Sternon.
- Monday 17 November, 14:30 to 17:00, at Centre de Logopédie in Strassen, Conference held by Karin Frisch-Kartheiser from GML.
For more information and details, please visit www.musiktherapie.lu.
