The power of music to address emotional and physical distress has been recorded since the early development of civilisation. However the growth of a profession dedicated to applying music's therapeutic potential in a systemic way is a comparatively recent development.
Major professional developments first took place in the USA, though a healthy scepticism on the part of the medical and scientific communities made it necessary for the musician involved to systemise and validate their work, and to familiarise themselves with the background medical and psychological issues. The first formal academic music therapy course was taught at Kansas University in 1946.
Music Therapy in the United Kingdom owes much to Juliette Alvin. Her pioneering work with children with learning disabilities and people with psychiatric disorders, and in the training of music therapists, provided firm foundations for the profession in the UK. In 1958, Alvin and colleagues formed the British Society of Music Therapy, and in 1968 she was invited to set up the first Postgraduate Training Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 1974 a Nordoff-Robbins training course was started at Goldie Leigh Hospital in South London. This course together with its associated clinical work subsequently moved to Roehampton and later still to Kentish Town.
Music Therapists have been employed in Health, Education and Social Services since the late 1960's. The profession gained further recognition in 1982 when the then Department of Health and Social Security awarded music therapists (along with art therapists) a career and salary structure comparable with other paramedical professions.
The profession achieved state registration on June 1st 1999 with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). This was supported by a number of the caring professions' institutions, including The General Medical Council, The BMA, The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The Royal College of Nursing. The CPSM was succeeded by the Health Professions Council (HPC) as the government's regulatory body: this sets standards for 15 health professions including Music Therapy, and refers to the cohort as Arts Therapists.
The Music Therapy Charity was a key campaigner in the fight for official recognition and we are proud of this achievement. We continue to campaign for the recognition of Music Therapists and their outstanding contribution to medical science.
The Association of Professional Music Therapists (APMT) was established in 1976 to support and develop the profession; it too has a register that was the de facto official register before the CPSM and the HPC. This professional body is vital in guaranteeing professional standards. It has recently formalised a union with the British Society of Music Therapists (BSMT) to become the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT). The new body takes over all function of the parent Associations.
The Music Therapy Charity values the close relationship it has maintained with the professional bodies, receiving expert advice on research, education and all professional matters.