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

clients possibility for growth and development. The work
of the music therapist therefore gets a political
dimension. The music therapist can not be indifferent
about the political discussion of education, health and
culture.
A very important aspect is the therapist's work before
and after the lession. The music therapist must be given
opportunity to work in close collaboration with other
professions working with the client. In Sandane this
process has been strengthened by conscious use of
combined posts for the music therapists. They work in
different systems, and in this way establish contact and
communication between the systems (Kleive & Stige,
1988).
956
"Upbeat" - an example
My own first meeting with Music Therapy as Cultural
Engagement was the "Sandane-project" (1983-86).
From the book about the project (Kleive & Stige, 1988) I
will translate some passages that tell about the process
of "Upbeat", one of the many groups in this project. The
members of the group were mentally handicapped, age
30-40. They lived in an institution where my colleague
Ingunn Byrkjedal worked as a part of her combined
post. When the project started in 1983, the members of
"Upbeat" was taken on as students in the Community
Music School in Sandane. They were the first
handicapped students at this school.
Slowly, with their eyes and ears open, they come into the music
room. They know nothing about beeing pioneers, but they know
that this is new - and exiting! They have come here after a long