23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

sense of togetherness and desire to be in harmony with
each other has been aided by the experience of making
music together (implications here for the development
of the group culture and links with the overall philosophy
of the Centre); Only half of the groups mentioned
sharing/sociability beforehand but afterwards
communication and group togetherness head the list
(five out of the six);
- many of the group members found the experience
cathartic: pre-session constructs reflecting the common
belief that music can be energising or relaxing, postsession
constructs reflecting more specific constructs
such as emotional release, catharsis, loss or
overcoming of inhibitions and breaking down barriers.
- there were many spontaneous comments such as
'I didn't know I had that in me', 'It's a good way to get
that feeling off my chest" 'That was very primitive, I
enjoyed that.'
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- there is a similar contrast on the negative side, the
depression and sadness induced by music (pre-session
constructs for four out of the six groups) did not appear
again afterwards. Instead there are more active
constructs e.g. frustrating / difficult; retreat /
inhibitionandexhaustion. - the importance of music for
accessing memories and the feelings associated with
them although surprisingly not to the extent that the
experience of the sessions had indicated: presession
constructs (2 groups) included nostalgia, or the ability of
music to stir up images and memories, after the
sessions only one group specifically mentioned
reminiscence although others mentioned previous
experiences and private connections which had to do
with past memories and feelings. - post-session
constructs reflect the ability of music therapy to relieve
the residents, temporarily at least, from their preoccupation
with their pain, illness and problems,
spontaneous comments relating to being out of