Years ago, Michael McGuire half-kidded with his students
that if they had an extra $10,000 at some point in their
lives, he would appreciate a donation to build a music
therapy center on campus. He later proffered, if one of
his students would contribute $5,000 toward the venture,
he would match that amount.
Someone was listening.
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SOOTHING SOUNDS: Michael McGuire (above left),
director of EMU's music therapy program, plays the
auto harp while his students contribute music
from other
instruments in the music therapy center
that opened
Jan. 9 in the Alexander Building.
Currently, a number of music therapy classes
are
taught in the room, but there are plans to renovate
the small observation room (behind the mirror that
is
pictured) so that clinical services can be offered
on a
regular basis.
|
Former EMU student Susan Weiss, and her husband, Mark,
recently provided the initial gift, which McGuire matched,
to make the center possible. David Woike, head of the music
department, and Roberta Justice, an adjunct faculty in
music therapy, made additional donations.
Through those contributions, renovations began in October
2005. A music therapy center opened Jan. 9 in Room N110
of the Alexander Building.
Currently, the center consists of a classroom/therapy
room (approximately 30 x 30 feet) and a small observation
room (15 x 20 feet) that includes a one-way mirror that
allows viewing into the classroom. There are plans to enlarge
and reconfigure the space to eventually provide a waiting
room dedicated for music therapy clients and a separate
entrance from the Alexander parking lot. Future renovation
will provide clinical services in which local, board-certified
music therapists who don't have offices can use the space
for client appointments.
The mission of the center is to provide music therapy
educational and clinical services in a "cutting edge" environment,
said McGuire, a professor of music therapy.
"In southeastern Michigan, in an academic setting,
there's no place that does that (provides college-level
music therapy courses and professional clinical services)," said
McGuire, who has been director of EMU's music therapy
program since 1983. Eastern Michigan's music therapy program
started in 1976.
Music therapy is the use of music to work toward therapeutic
goals, which can be social, emotional or motor in nature.
For example, a therapist could compose a "hello" song for
small children, with the goal for children to learn to
properly meet and greet other people, McGuire explained.
Music therapy also can be used to help adult substance
abusers engage in positive group activities, such as creating
music, he said.
Currently, the center is primarily used to teach a variety
of music therapy classes. A stereo and various musical
instruments are available for the small, intimate classes
that rarely include more than 10 students. Very little
clinical work is being conducted at the moment, said McGuire,
who has e-mailed local board-certified music therapists
to make them aware of plans for the center.
"We still need more funding to be fully able to use the
center as clinical space," McGuire said.
A campaign to raise additional funds for the therapy center
and its programs began this month. More musical instruments,
audio and video equipment, a computer, a digital projector
and projection screen are items needed for the center,
McGuire said. And, of course, the physical renovations
will cost money.
McGuire first thought of creating a musical therapy center
about five years ago, after realizing it was difficult
to convey all he wanted to his classes in a convenient
setting.
"Sometimes, if I wanted to demonstrate something, I'd
have to bring my classes up to my office and show them
something on the Web," McGuire recalled. "I'd get frustrated
having to bring instruments up and down floors to different
classrooms.
"It (music therapy center) will provide better opportunities
for people in the community to access music therapy and
provide our students with a variety of clinical experiences," Justice
said.
