Every Journey Starts with the First Step

Many talented musicians feel that they want to take their music to a higher level, to do something new with their abilities. And maybe give back. Becoming a Certified Clinical Musician offers a new and exciting outlet for musical talents. The study of therapeutic music opens a door of opportunity. All musicians know how music changes the emotions of listeners. There’s more, though. The training will broaden the understanding of how music physically changes the condition of the human body.

The Training: Not Easy, But So Rewarding

Music For Healing and Transition Program (MHTP) offers a rigorous training program that leads to the Certified Music Practitioner designation. Their website is https://www.mhtp.org/ . This program is certified by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (http://www.nsbtm.org/).  During this pandemic, all of the training is done online. Once the pandemic is over, some of the training will be done in classroom settings. An advisor guides the student through the material and internship. Our practicing therapeutic musicians also mentor the students.

A variety of instruments are suitable for therapeutic music. Guitar, harp, keyboard, dulcimer, voice, cello and bass are all excellent for this music. A musician should play at the intermediate level or higher by the time he graduates.

Practice, Practice, Practice

After completion of the two levels of training, the fun part begins. The practicum or internship starts, giving the student guided practice in delivering the right music for each patient. Student play locally, in hospitals, hospices and skilled nursing facilities. Typically, it takes a student three or four months to complete the internship, if he keeps at it. And then he’s graduated! And the real satisfaction begins – helping people heal. Would you like to join us, or do you have questions? Contact us here.

We want to assist students financially to complete their training, but we need help. We have received a grant from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which has been a tremendous help, but more funds are needed to train even more musicians to serve Citrus County. Please help us and donate now.