CAMT Conference 2006

When I committed myself to the graduate study of music therapy last fall, I was not exactly sure what I was getting into. Although, philosophically, mentally and spiritually, everything appeared to make sense, I must admit that I had some doubts about pursuing it as a full-time career. I believe that part of my reason for doubting was that I felt alone. No one around me, including my family and friends, knew about it. As I learned and met more people whose beliefs were similar to mine, I realized that the field of music therapy was much more vast and alive than what I had imagined. Not only did it have a solid academic foundation, but also provincial, national and international associations to represent it and connect music therapists from all over the world. After attending my first CAMT conference this year in Windsor, I no longer felt so alone. In fact, it has brought me the sense of community and warmth I was searching for. If I were to describe my general impression of the conference with three words I would choose festivity, knowledge, and connection.

Festivity

Every celebration must have a festive setting. The Cleary International Centre was a perfect location with its breathtaking views of the Detroit skyline. The presence of the river added an extra touch of inspiration as the opening ceremony began with the sounds of the University of Windsor Percussion Ensemble. Their performance was flawless.
The festivities continued on Friday evening after the banquet as I danced to the music of the University of Windsor Jazz ensemble. As a jazz pianist, I had a good knowledge of their repertoire and was tempted a few times to go up on stage to play with them! The university certainly left a positive vibe in the air. It was a great opportunity to let loose after a full day of listening and absorbing.
The conference ended with a grand musical celebration with a giant drum circle. Everyone had a drum to play on and even the children participated. It served as a reminder that what matters in the end is the joy and love that music brings.

Knowledge

From Thursday to Saturday, I have had the pleasure to attend a number of contrasting conference sessions dealing with a wide variety of topics ranging from health and medicine to social justice and world peace. Some sessions were designed to promote awareness and stimulate discussion, while others were more practical and informative. In addition, some presentations consisted of hands-on approaches to provide new instrumental techniques and teaching methods. I appreciated that the three keynote presentations highlighted completely different applications of music therapy.
The conference began on a more emotional tone with Noele Bird’s presentation on her work with street kids in downtown Vancouver which combines music, poetry and artwork to help them regain a sense of identity and dignity as human beings. Her inspiring talk left me with a sense of hope and purpose. I am now convinced that compassion and strength on the part of therapists can make a huge impact on the lives of people in need.
On the other hand, Christine Stevens’ unforgettable presentation on the use of drumming as an integrative tool in holistic health was highly interactive and stimulating. I was impressed with her ability to lead a large group of drummers with such precision, energy and charisma. She demonstrated that simple musical ideas are most effective and still leave much room for creativity and spontaneity.
It was also a pleasure to listen to Jayne M. Standley speak from a medical music therapy point of view. Since my own approach is music-centered and based on the Nordoff Robbins model, it is often difficult to measure the impact or outcome of my work with clients. Thus, I appreciated learning that quantitative MT research studies have recently shown astounding positive results which gives more credibility to the field as a whole.
Other noteworthy presentations were those of Mendelt Hoekstra and Chrissy Pearson which dealt with the marketing of music therapy services and the creation of jobs. In my opinion these two sessions were among the most practical, especially for students and beginning music therapists. Not only did they address our concerns and difficulties with the business aspect of our work, but provided useful tips on how to proceed step by step in order to create our dream jobs. In sum, it was enlightening to see different styles of presentations with a variety of content. This left me with much to contemplate and gave me a better sense of my own perspective on my future work.

Connection

National conferences are not only about listening to presentations but also about connecting with our peers. I had many opportunities to connect with them personally and musically during and in between conference sessions. Drum circles and free improvisations in a group have allowed music therapists to connect musically. In Guylaine Vaillancourt’s presentation, Music and Peace, we had the chance to play various percussion instruments as an ensemble. At first our improvisation sounded more chaotic. Then, as it gradually began to take shape a subtle pulse developed and everyone connected through it. The resulting mood was one that reflected the intensity and deepness of life.
One of my favorite moments of the conference was Friday night just before the dance as I spontaneously met a few musicians who wanted to play. Our group started with 6 musicians and eventually doubled in size. We had many laughs together and created a whole gamut of joyful musical atmospheres in the main lobby. I played with the group for almost two hours. Some people would leave, others would join in, but the music continued endlessly. By the end of it, we all knew one another’s names.
What was really heartwarming is the fact that everyone, whether a therapist student, teacher, entertainer or related professional, was on an equal plane. At the conference, everyone was part of a single family sharing a common vision.

Overall, it was a valuable experience to be part of this year’s conference. It was well organized and well balanced in terms of content. I highly recommend it for students, both graduate and undergraduate, who are new to the field, and I am looking forward to next year’s national reunion in Victoria BC.