EMTC 30th Anniversary Exhibition
The EMTC 30th Anniversary exhibition was specially created for the EMTC conference in Edinburgh in 2022, consisting of objects that represent music therapy in each member country. Thank you to Elisabeth Kaczynski, Tessa Watson, Mitsi Akoyunoglou, Claudia Bajs and Philippa Derrington for all your work in curating the in-person exhibition.
For countries that chose an instrument as their object, this online version includes Youtube videos of the instrument being played. These are not EMTC or member association videos, but they are all freely available on Youtube for anyone to embed and the channels they belong to can be seen at the top of the video windows.
The slideshow is currently best viewed on a computer or tablet screen (it is not yet optimised for phone screens).
In Austria, music therapy training institutions have existed since 1959, starting with the first academic training course in Vienna. Nowadays, there are 3 Bachelor and Master courses, in Vienna, Krems and Graz.
And, as it happens, in all three cities there are ancient clocktowers with timekeepers that make wonderful music.
ON THE NEXT THREE SLIDES YOU CAN WATCH A VIDEO AND READ ABOUT EACH CLOCKTOWER.
The Anker Clock is actually a bridge and connects the two building parts of the “Ankerhof”. The Art Nouveau painter Franz Matsch designed the clock.
It was built in 1911-1914. In the course of twelve hours, twelve figures or pairs of figures from the history of Vienna walk across the bridge. At 12 noon, all the figures parade to the accompaniment of music. During Advent, Christmas carols are played daily.
On Christmas Eve 1905, the melodies of 24 bells rang for the first time. They fell silent during the Second World War because the bells were used for the weapons industry. Since 1956, the carillon has again played three melodies three times a day, changing the “track list” five times a year. Alpine songs and yodels alternate with Christmas carols and pleasant melodies by contemporary composers. When the arcade windows in the gable open, you can see a wooden dancing couple in colorful traditional costumes. As a “crowing” conclusion to the performance, the golden cock lifts his wings.
The Steiner Tor is a city gate of Krems in the Wachau valley, representing the symbol of the city. It was built in 1480 as part of the wall, which surrounded the city of Krems until the last third of the 19th century. Outside the portal are two towers flanking both sides, which, like the lower floor of the gate, date from the late Middle Ages. However, the middle tower building dates to the Baroque period during the reign of Maria Theresia around 1750. Until today, the Steiner Tor is the main gate to the pedestrian zone of the city center with many shops and cafés. The carillon is a main tourist spot of the city, playing twice each day.
The lyre is the inspiration for our object. It corresponds to Thracian & Greek ancestry personified by Orpheus, the ancient healer, who tamed and comforted all nature with his mastery of the instrument and whose home was the Rhodope Mountains, the greater part of which today lie within the borders of Bulgaria.
This lyre symbolizes the cosmic tree and the three zones of the known world, also reminiscent of the dynamic structure of the human psyche. At its foundation is the rising sun, whose rays merge with the strings of the ancient instrument while gradually turning light into sound. The snake, ruler of the underworld (Lower Earth), stands as the symbol of healing and wisdom. Blooming rose bushes branch out and fill the Middle Earth, with their scent and freshness striving upwards, where birds dwell as rulers of the sky. Thus, all the senses have been stimulated and represented through the symbolism of this object.
The lyre, as a symbol, represents the tradition and profession of music therapy in Bulgaria, an harmonious unity of symbols, which holds and transmits the resonance of fundamental values, to connect past present and future.
We are glad that music therapy in our country is recognized at the Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation in Zagreb as a discipline that contributes to the well-being of patients in a multidisciplinary intervention. Croatian music therapists offer receptive music therapy service at the Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation in Zagreb. Music therapy at the Institut is a service that can be obtained on a medical referral from the Croatian Health Insurance Institute since 2017.
On the 30th anniversary of the European Music Therapy Conferences, Croatia brings a gingerbread heart (Licitarsko srce), an autochthonous and traditional symbol. In the middle of the Gingerbread heart is the logo of HUM - Croatian Association of Music Therapists. Let this Gingerbread heart on this anniversary remind us of the service at the Cardiovascular Institut as well as the unconditional acceptance of all clients to whom we, music therapists, provide the best service in all other institutions in Croatia.
“Koncovka” is a traditional folk wind instrument which opens up the player’s voice. In the past, highland shepherds used it to communicate from one hill to another. It is a fipple flute producing a stimulating and harmonizing sound and natural overtones. The deeper the player breathes, the fuller the sound, so the players are naturally led to breath gymnastics and training. It is made mostly of black elderberry wood. It can be used in the therapy of voice and breath disorders; it develops the body map awareness as well as pair and group communication.
... is the simplest, clearest, gentlest, most acceptable and least pretentious instrument for many therapy clients. It can be fingered easily - it is for everyone to express themselves, inspiring to play enchanting sound combinations, inviting to dance or listen and immerse themselves - then even the most restless souls will calm down ...
The Estonian zither is the oldest stringed instrument in Estonia (2000 years old) and is closely connected with the Finnish and Baltic folk cultures. It represents the connection of Estonians with their tradition, primitive sense of nature and ancestors, dating back to the time before our epic “Kalevipoeg”. The zither’s sound is characteristic of the Nordic soul: pure, gentle, lyrical, thoughtful and introverted.
The Finlandia hymn (Finnish: Finlandia-hymni) refers to a serene hymn-like section of the patriotic symphonic poem Finlandia, written in 1899 and 1900 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was later re-worked by the composer into a stand-alone piece. With words written in 1940 by Veikko Antero Koskenniemi, it is one of the most important national songs of Finland. Although not the official national anthem of Finland, it has been continuously proposed as such. Choral arrangements of the hymn are very popular in many countries.
In 2022 it was adapted for Ukraine "Oi Ukraine" - Oh, rise, Ukraine, rise!
Figurenotes is a system of notating music originally invented in Finland by Kaarlo Uusitalo that makes it possible for almost everyone to play music and learn more of it step by step, in a concrete way, by means of colours and shapes. All the player has to do is match two identical symbols – Figurenotes and Figurenotes stickers on the instrument.
Almost all Finnish music therapists use Figurenotes in one way or another in their practice.
See more at www.figurenotes.com
Figurenotes are also well known in Scotland: drakemusicscotland.org/figurenotes
Using Figurenotes it is even possible to reach a place in the semi-final of the Eurovision song contest!
Watch the video of Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät playing the song Aina Mun Pitää live at Eurovision 2015. Following their Finnish national final win, the band garnered media interest from international press commenting on the fact that the band was composed of middle-aged men with developmental disabilities. The band's manager, Teuvo Merkkiniemi, stated: "They try to change the world by their songs and playing: they are an example to other people with handicaps." (Wikipedia)
Join us to share a glass of French wine, please!
And when we have emptied it all, the music can start!
Put in some seeds, some dried rice … hit it with your spoon!
And then have some more wine?!!!
This MUSIC THERAPY GREECE CAR symbolizes the journey of the Music Therapy profession that is in progress in Greece. Selected significant dates are marked, which capture the dynamics of evolution of the profession. It asks all participants WIND ME to move forward!
The Hungarian object is an 8-holed pear-shaped ocarina, or "pear-pipe". Originally it was made of wood, but the one in the picture is made of clay.
"Pear music", a direct translation from Hungarian, is not a piece of fruit grown on a tree, or an instrument in the true meaning of the word, but rather a secret amulet. It encloses the lullabies of our ancient maters, the healing rites of our ancestors, the inumerable messages and signs encoded in our utmost depths. Here in Hungary, in the embrace of the Carpathians, it is recognised and accessible to everyone, regardless of race or gender. Its melodies playfully tickle us, its humming declares, "I'm here with you! I'm talking to you!"
Surely, "pear music" converses with us: it confesses to the one who plays it and exhales his misery into it, and it reveals all to those who listen. At first glance, "pear music" might only seem to be just a small children's toy, but it has many facets. Only a piece of wood, yet the summer sun still shines in it, the trills of the thrush still carol in it, you may hear the whistle of a train riding in the distance or the buzz of a bustling fair. No matter how far the songs reach: childhood memories, tender mothering, jolly laughter and endless horizons come to life, fragments of ancient melodies emerge in the wake of its sounds. Tunes that connect the player and listener with the inseparable thread of timelessness.
This net is crocheted by the Icelandic representative in the EMTC. It simplifies the role of a representative and the importance of the EMTC as a holding environment for us all.
In the net there are 10 Icelandic stones. They simplify the uniqueness of the 10 active music therapists in the Icelandic Music Therapy Association.
Each one has a specific sound, color, shape and specialty. The Icelandic flag holds us together in the net. It gives us the possibility of sounding together our uniqueness which is soft and subtle but still there.
The ribbon, our flag, reaches out to other nations, to other member associations, to the Icelandic community and to the ministry of health which still hasn’t acknowledged us.
Reaching out for a better world, still hopeful and united and grateful for the EMTC.
Congratulations EMTC! With love,
The Icelandic Music Therapy Association
The bodhrán is a single headed frame drum much like those in the traditional music of western Asia and south India, parts of eastern Europe, north Africa, Iberia, and Brazil, and occurs sporadically in other cultures. In Ireland it is perhaps best defined by the playing style, being played predominantly with a single stick or beater and traditionally used as an accompanying instrument following the rhythm of the music as closely as possible.
The bodhrán frame is made from a variety of different timbers, the most popular being plywood. The use of crossbars gives added strength to the frame. Goatskin is mainly used. Goats are not killed for their skins. The skin is a by-product. The skins that are used today come from a variety of countries, including Ireland, North Africa, India and Pakistan.
The bodhrán was chosen as Ireland’s object for a number of reasons. It acknowledges the rich, living culture and history of Irish traditional music which informs music therapy practice in Ireland. This is a music that focusses on collaboration, creativity, improvisation and requires flexibility in relation to tempo, keys, variations, and versions of tunes. It is person-to-person communication, being with others and relating to them by making music together. All of these elements integral to music therapy. Most Irish music therapists, whether traditional musicians or not, are influenced by this musical culture and draw on aspects of it in their work.
The bodhrán itself is one of the more accessible traditional Irish instruments that can allow clients to easily become part of the music making. It is an instrument that many clients would be familiar with. It can provide rhythmic grounding in a group setting, or can be used to motivate movement. It can be used for reminiscence with older adults, or to match the heartbeat of an infant. It is a versatile instrument that connects our practice with our heritage.
The tambourine is a central instrument in Israel's music therapy practice. Being easy to use, the tambourine holds the opportunity for patients in all conditions, ages, and level of functioning to produce a clear warm sound of expression.
The tambourine is mentioned in the biblical story of Miriam the prophetess, and its Hebrew name is "Miriam's Drum". It is believed that being a prophetess, Miriam knew in advance that a great miracle was going to happen during the Exodus from Egypt. She asked all the women to take their flour sieves when leaving their homes in a hurry. When in the Desert, the women stretched leather on the sieves, and after the parting of the Red Sea, Miriam hit the drum while dancing, and all the women followed her.
The Tambourine is also known by the Arabic name "Daf" or "Riq", considered to be a Middle Eastern frame drum, used in popular and classical Arabic music. It is mentioned within the Iranian culture, starting in the 5-6 centuries BC, as the instrument of the women in times of celebrations, and continues to be central today.
The connection to women in both the Hebrew and the Arabic cultures, together with its' round shape, authentically symbolises the unity and inclusion of diversities in the Israeli society, ensembles us all together musically.
The Italian object was devised during a meeting between the CR Italy and Presidents of four Italian Associations enrolled at EMTC. They agreed to proceed with the construction of an object consisting of 20 sheets. Every Association built 5 sheets in which to print words and /or photos in reference to Italian Music Therapy. These sheets will then be constructed on the site as suspended sheets with a thin frame hung from the ceiling and placed near a source of natural light if possible.
The Latvian contribution focuses on all our wonderful music therapists in a video where you can see us in our therapy rooms.
The background music is played on a traditional Latvian folk instrument, the kokle.
Lithuanian artist and composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, a unique figure in the history of European arts, left a profound imprint on Lithuanian culture. Over a short, mere decade-long career, he composed nearly four hundred musical compositions, also created approximately four hundred paintings and etchings, as well as several literary works and poems, while still finding time to experiment with art photography.
M.K. Čiurlionis left some thoughts about his painting FRIENDSHIP: “The World is a huge canvas in which everyone leaves a mark. Light, Dark. The World is a book we write. All life. Letter by letter. Word by word, line by line. As much as we can. The Man comes to the Earth with the Sun. Let us save it even during the rough days, so that we can create a wonderful Sun Symphony for Life!”
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911) FRIENDSHIP / Pastel on paper, 1906 / 7.
A péckvillchen is a clay bird whistle that mimics the sound of a cuckoo and is typical of Luxembourg. The first péckvillchen dates back to the 14th century. The only chance to purchase one of these unique pieces of art is at the Emaischen, a traditional market that takes place each year on Easter Monday in Luxembourg City and a smaller village called Nospelt. As Easter Monday used to be the fraternity celebration day for potters, Emaischen started as a pottery market in the 19th century and, since then, has evolved into a vibrant market for the whole family.
A péckvillchen perfectly characterises music therapy in Luxembourg. Each péckvillchen being handmade, it means they are as unique in their sound and appearance as our music therapists and their clients are. Their diversity is emphasized by the fact that each year some péckvillchen are made with a specific theme. For example, in 2021, vaccinted péckvillchen were created and, in 2022, a special creation for peace was made in the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow. In music therapy we also constantly adapt to current situations and shape our sessions according to what is needed in the moment. It is the diversity of colours and strengths that unifies us, so that each one can be inspired and learn from the other.
Over 10 years ago, the chair of the Dutch Music Therapy Association (NVVMT), Albert Berman wanted to draw extra attention to the music therapy profession. What better to do, than create a National Music Therapy Day? He used ‘Blue Monday’ to commemorate one of the most effective non-pharmacological interventions against depression, MUSIC! This bold idea triggered many positive responses.
Three years later Albert and Cunera van Heerden introduced this concept to the European music therapy committee. They embraced the concept, but changed the date to November 15, the time that the EMTC was erected.
Colourful posters were created, in a typical Dutch design. A musical logo and high-quality photographs were added to draw attention of any person passing by. The posters were translated in many languages to allow for a European Music Therapy Day to be expressed in each regional dialect.
Even more characteristic were the up-tempo songs that were composed for each of the European Music Therapy Day. Albert Berman and Lizzy Dinghs were the main composers of different songs. They encouraged all countries to create their own unique versions, to clearly share the different voices in a universal European context of “MUSIC THERAPY’.
To celebrate the 30 years of EMTC, we share some of the posters as well as the chorus of several of the European Music Therapy Day songs.
The book „Music Therapy as a Profession“ by Ranka Radulović MD PhD was pubished in 2021 by the Association of Music Therapists of Serbia, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the Association. www.muzikoterapija.rs
This book presents the characteristics of music therapy, areas of its activity and the latest research, witnesses of the pioneering endeavour in laying the foundations and enacting legislation regarding music therapy in Serbia.
„Most pioneers are at the mercy of doubt at the beginning whether of their worth, of their theories, or of the whole enigmatic field in which they labour“.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Fans have been used for centuries to make the summer heat feel cooler and became a social accessory in the 18th century. They have become a cultural symbol of Spain through their use in traditional Spanish dances.
The decoration of this fan is a mosaic of tiles patterns from many different parts of Spain, with Islamic, Sephardic and Christian designs illustrating the historic, cultural, musical and geographical diversity of Spain.
The metaphor: Unity, offered by the EMTC, brings strength to the many regional and local music therapy associations in Spain.
For older adults the alphorn comes to the fore in receptive music therapy, often evoking special memories, be it of a childhood in the countryside or of holidays spent in the mountains. People young and old enjoy the thrilling feeling of producing a note on such a large instrument, and improvisation is made simpler by the fact that the alphorn is limited to the natural harmonic series.
The naturally ‘out of tune’ harmonics give the instrument a particular charm, said to be so emotionally evocative that it was prohi-bited in some circumstan- ces to play an alphorn near swiss soldiers fighting abroad, for fear that they could become overwhelmed by homesickness, desert and go home.
Text and video (see next slide): Annette Cox, Member of the Board
Kaşık, or wooden spoons, are usually used as rhythm instruments in Turkish folk music and dance. Generally they are made of boxwood. It's a traditional instrument which has been used for many ages. Click on the image to watch a video of Turkish musicians playing traditional instruments, including the spoons.
The object that represents the UK is a sounding bowl. Each bowl is unique, like each Music Therapist and each of the countries of the UK; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The rich, resonant sound of the instrument, and its accessible nature allows powerful connections and interaction between Music Therapists and service users, and also represents the resonances across land and sea between colleagues who may know each well or may never have met.
The coloured ribbons represent all 4 countries that make up the UK and the rich diversity of music therapy within these countries. They represent those who are members of our profession, those who use music therapy and those who will be part of the profession in the future.
One of the strings of the Sounding Bowl in the previous slide has broken, and it is in need of tuning; perhaps redolent of areas of neglect that are in need of care in our profession – the work we need to do to continue to develop the profession for the future in inclusive, sensitive and responsible ways. The broken string is evocative of a disturbance or a shoogle – and reminds us of the repair to be done, the re-tuning required of the whole instrument; the music yet to be made.
In placing this object in the 30 objects installation for this important 30 year anniversary, we remember the work Music Therapists have done in the past, recognising our pioneers and the rich body of music therapy work in the UK since the beginning of the profession. We also look to the future of our profession, mindful that innovation and change can provide challenges.
All flag images are taken from all-flags-world.com
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