There are lots of general benefits to health and wellbeing when people make music.

As their job title suggests, registered music therapists draw on these benefits when they work with their clients to deliver music therapeutically.

Music therapy is practiced in many different settings across Australia, such as hospitals, nursing homes, in special education and in early intervention programs for at-risk children. And there are many different techniques – all based on strong research – available to the music therapist, depending on a client’s specific needs.

These case studies are a collaboration between the Music Council of Australia's national music advocacy campaign,  Music: Play for Life and the Australian Music Therapy Association.

They provide some insight into the work of seven music therapists, each working in diverse ways in different locations across the country. Each case study also summarises a little of what we know from science about why music works so well in the particular context - from aiding a person’s end-of-life journey to helping seriously ill children build resilience in hospital.

If you sing or play a musical instrument - alone or as part of a group - you will undoubtedly be moved and inspired by these case studies as you’ve already been touched by the healing power of music in your own life. If you aren't yet musically active, give music a go: it's good for you!

Enjoy.

Music and special education
A music program helps a 10 year old boy with Autism lead a partner to the dancefloor for the first time

Music in palliative care
Self-confessed ‘ageing hippy’ Alan is learning the piano for the first time at age 61, and in the advanced stages of cancer

Music in adult disability
Music opens up a whole new world for stroke victim, Curly

Music in a hospital
After surgery to remove a brainstem tumour, 8 year old Jack’s musical journey helps build his resilience

Music in aged care
All the old songs connect 83 year old Rose with her fellow nursing home residents

Music in a community support service
Friendships and catharsis through music at a Hobart crisis service

Music in mental health
Music is top of the list for most adolescents, and can be a lifeline for those with mental health problems

---

Production team

For Music: Play for Life: Tina Broad, writer, editor, production coordinator

For Australian Music Therapy Association: Meg Steele, project manager; Katrina McFerran, research summaries; Rachel Nendick, setting-specific backgrounders

Design: Flipside Creative

Photography: James Knowler, Adelaide; Rohan Young, Melbourne; Joshua Morris, Sydney; Queensland Health, Brisbane; Ryan Strating, Hobart; Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth.