The 3rd European Music Therapy Congress took place in Aalborg, Denmark from 17th-20th June, 1995. The documents preserved from this congress give a detailed picture of a field that was actively organising itself at a European level. What comes through clearly is a strong commitment to structure, collaboration, and the development of a shared professional identity, alongside the practical realities of making such an event possible.
Theme and focus
The congress was centred on the theme:
Music Therapy within Multidisciplinary Teams
It aimed to reflect the diversity of music therapy practice, research, and training, while placing particular emphasis on the role of music therapists working alongside other professionals. This focus on interdisciplinarity runs throughout the programme and organisational structure.
Organisation and committees
The congress was organised with a clear and carefully defined structure.
Chairs
Music therapy in psychiatry: Helen Odell-Miller (UK)
Music therapy and developmental disorders: Anne Steen-Møller (DK)
Research in music therapy: Prof. Dr. David Ruud-Alridge (D) (As written in the source document – a French translation of the minutes of the EMTC meeting in Capri, 1994. This appears to combine the names of Even Ruud and David Aldridge.)
Training in music therapy was addressed through round table discussions.
Scientific coordination
The scientific committee was made up of small groups representing clinical practice in different sectors. Members were selected to reflect the diversity of music therapy across Europe.
Scientific Coordinator: Hanne-Mette Kortegaard (DK)
Sub-committees were organised into key areas, with the first named person acting as sub-coordinator.
Research
Lars Ole Bonde (DK)
Henk Smeijsters (NL)
Kimmo Lehtonen (SF)
Gabriela G. Perilli (I)
Training
Inge Nygaard Pedersen (DK)
Jos De Backer (B)
Ingrid Hammerlund (S)
Paxti Del Campo (E)
Mental Health
Bente Ostergaard (N)
Gianluigi Di Franco (I)
Penny Rogers (UK)
Regina Hälmer-Stein (A)
Developmental Disorders
Anne Møller-Joergensen (DK)
Beate Mähns (D)
Brynjulf Stige (N)
Prof. Edith Lecourt (F)
Scientific advisors
T. Wigram (UK), A. Sloboda (UK), H. Ahonen (SF), A. Agrotou (C),
M. Nocker (D), P. van den Berk (NL), T.P. Leite (P), R. Utzinger (SCh),
L. Polychroniadou (GR), F.X. Vrait (F)
Organising bodies
Danish Society for Music Therapy (D.F.M.T.)
Professional Association of Music Therapists (L.A.M.)
Aalborg University, Institute of Music and Music Therapy
Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Music Therapy Clinic, Centre for Treatment and Research
Programme structure
The programme shows a well-developed and clearly defined structure, with a range of presentation formats, including lectures, workshops, poster presentations, and round tables.
Round table discussions were scheduled throughout the congress, alongside meetings of various committees taking place before and after the event:
Supervision within a Multidisciplinary Team: I. Pedersen
Evaluation: T. Wigram
Clinical Work: H. Odell, U. Jons
Music and the Brain: K. Fredens-Dollis
Music therapy and Preventive Treatment: L. Polychroniadou
Personal Identity and Music Therapists: M. Nocker, L. Polychroniadou
Referral Criteria in Music Therapy: P. van den Berk
Training of Music Therapists for Private Practice and Teamwork: J. De Backer
Traditional Music, Sound Identity, Music Therapy: R. De Michele
Meetings of both the European Music Therapy Committee (EMTC) and the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) were scheduled around the congress, reflecting the close connection between European developments and the wider international field.
Fees
The organisers aimed to make the congress accessible, while balancing the financial realities of hosting an international event.
Professionals: DKK 2,700 (≈ €360; ≈ €520–580 today)
(after 09.04.95: DKK 3,200 ≈ €430; ≈ €620–690 today)
Students: DKK 2,000 (≈ €270; ≈ €390–430 today)
(after 09.04.95: DKK 2,500 ≈ €335; ≈ €480–530 today)
Accompanying persons: DKK 1,000 (≈ €135; ≈ €190–220 today)
(after 09.04.95: DKK 1,500 ≈ €200; ≈ €290–330 today)
The fee included the book of abstracts, the congress programme, opening and closing sessions, access to all presentations, and daytime meals. A social programme was also planned.
Reflections after the congress
A report written after the congress reflects both its success and the financial pressures involved:
“This Congress has been a great success. But the financial cost was high, and the University of Aalborg are helping significantly with the cost. Inge Nygaard Pedersen asked that members of the committee could write to the Rektor of Aalborg University to give him feedback on the value of this congress in bringing together therapists from throughout Europe.”
This short passage captures something important. The congress was clearly valued as a space for bringing people together across Europe, but it also depended on institutional support and personal commitment. Even at this stage, the importance of demonstrating the value of such gatherings was already recognised.
