Nordoff-Robbins

This programme is the first part-time training programme from Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, and also the first training to focus on the emerging approach of Community Music Therapy, and how this interfaces with the established practice and training tradition of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

The programme is presented by Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy ( London ), Nordoff-Robbins North West ( Manchester ) and in collaboration with the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester . It has been specifically designed to interface with the developing Nordoff-Robbins National Outreach Centres, which have been located in areas of the UK where music therapy provision is currently low. It has also been specifically designed to provide a part-time training to people unable to access the current full-time programmes mostly located in the London and South-East area.

The programme offers an innovative part-time practice-based professional training for musicians wanting to develop their therapeutic skills (for example, outreach musicians, community musicians and music teachers). The part-time delivery of the programme will allow students to pursue a limited amount of other professional activity during the training period. Running for 5 semesters (30 months), the course requires students to spend one day a week (9am-5pm) on a supervised ‘placement residence’ (the first of which will be in the Manchester area), attend a 7 hour on-site training session one day per week (from 1-8pm) at the Royal Northern College of Music, organised by Nordoff-Robbins, and pursue an e-learning programme of private study and musical skills practice of at least 8 hours per week.

Students will undertake 3 separate clinical placements during the course of the programme, involving contrasting clinical populations (with children and adults) and varying organisational contexts. These placement residences will give students a chance to become involved with the life of each placement community. In addition to the regular weekly commitments there are also five residential weekends across the programme and two residential weeks. Students’ personal and professional development will be supported by a range of individual and group supervision, mentoring, professional support and personal development components.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, 2 Lissenden Gardens , London NW5 1PQ
Telephone: 020 7267 4496
Fax: 020 7267 4369
Email: matraining@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Web site: www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Master of Music Therapy (MMT)/Postgraduate Diploma in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (City University, London) two-year full-time postgraduate degree course is held at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre in North London. Students benefit from training in a specialist Music Therapy Centre which houses clinical work, training and research. Applicants should have a high standard of musicianship and competent keyboard skills although the piano need not be their first study. Applicants should preferably be aged 25 or over and have a mature outlook. Previous experience of personal counselling or therapy is an advantage.

The course is grounded in the creative approach developed by Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins, and emphasises the clinical use of music as therapy, while also placing this within a wider psychodynamic and developmental context. The training builds on each student's musicianship through the teaching of musical resources and clinical improvisational skills and supervised clinical work with individuals and groups are an integral part of both years of the course.

Year 1 concentrates on work with children and adolescents with special needs such as learning difficulties, physical disabilities, autism and emotional or behavioural problems. Students observe the work of qualified music therapists at the Centre and on placement. Year 2 focuses on work with a wide range of adult clients, including adults with psychiatric illnesses, dementia, terminal illnesses and organic or neurological impairments. In this year students are also given an introduction to music therapy research and submit a dissertation on an aspect of theory or practice. This is supported by the Centre's unique specialist library.

Throughout the two years there are lectures and seminars on related topics including child development, child and adult pathology, child and adult psychiatry, medical studies, documentation and assessment and audio-visual and presentation techniques. Students receive their own individual music therapy during both years. A support group runs throughout both years facilitated by a qualified psychotherapist.