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Derrington 2012 thesis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

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teachers and his reputation: “If someone did something and it wasn’t me then they’d<br />

always go to me. It’s still like that a bit, but nowhere near as much” (appendix 7.1.28,<br />

p.416). He felt that he was able to manage situations more easily which was a change<br />

that he noticed about half-way through therapy. He felt he was more confident, could<br />

manage his stress problems and was able to think before he spoke. Some students<br />

commented on the sense of achievement from music therapy. Harry (8.5) made a link<br />

between having a good chat, expressing himself on the drums and guitar to feeling<br />

really good and more self-confident:<br />

“It’s been really fun and it’s made me a lot more happy and a lot more head<br />

held high when I come out of there. Cos I do feel, I feel like I’ve achieved<br />

something more than anything” (appendix 7.1.12, p.282).<br />

Considering the referrals were made for underachievers, these data become even<br />

more important and help validate music therapy for this client group. Harry noticed<br />

this change in how he felt and could explain it happening suddenly at the beginning:<br />

“Yeah I remember uniquely coming out of that room and just going…Cos I<br />

used to do it in French and then go straight out to lunch. I was coming out<br />

feeling a lot better and I just wanted to talk to my friends and stuff, I felt<br />

really good. So I had a good conversation with them as well. And they noticed<br />

I was a lot happier, so they were happier. Cos at a certain point before I was<br />

doing music therapy I was in quite a sort of ‘down’ place, I wasn’t feeling<br />

very good and usually I’m quite a happy, nice person and that really sort of<br />

brought me back out again. I really, really, really enjoy it” (appendix 7.1.12,<br />

p.286).<br />

The change was not temporary although he expected it to be and felt that teachers had<br />

noticed the difference too “I think they find that I’m enjoying myself a lot more”<br />

(appendix 7.1.12, p.285).<br />

Five of nine mainstream students (56%) talked specifically about improvement in<br />

their concentration. Others felt they were better able to manage their feelings which<br />

led to a change in their behaviour and subsequent improved relationships with their<br />

peers.<br />

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