Greetings harpers/harpists
and lovers of the harp!

When thinking of the situation in Ukraine, we think of the children who will carry this experience with them throughout their lives. Then there are the soldiers: we know only too well how PTSD affects service men and women in wars. And what about the women taking care of the children, worrying about their loved partners and leaving their homes? And lest we forget, the elderly have been through this, some many times before. This is why Christina Tourin, both a trained Music Therapist and Therapeutic Harp Practitioner, has chosen Doctors without Borders – Ukraine, to earmark designated money to go to long and short term Mental Health relief areas. Alongside Music and Art Therapists, we offer Therapeutic Music in many ways.  From the various strains of music for soothing, sleeping, and uplifting, we can offer our talents to help in shelters and groups for those who are working with children, veterans, families and the elderly. This can happen in facilities at home or abroad! 

“What a professional musician does as opposed to what a music therapist does seems to have many of the same results; results that can be and are accomplished in many same circumstances and situations” he states. Reading Mr. Turry’s article, a musician or group might perform a concert at a senior centre, a school, a hospital or a shelter. He writes that performing music can have healing power for people who attend concerts or listen to music initially. As trained or untrained, amateur or professional performers, many would agree that this can be absolutely true.

We, in the Therapeutic Music trained world, understand the importance of in-depth study in counseling skills, hospital procedures, medicines, and the vibrational effects of sound upon a person’s emotional, psychological and physical bodies. Yet we do not dismiss the outcomes that a professional musician can accomplish as well. We call this Convergence.

No one owns music, but we all have a place in this sonic world as Barbara Crowe, our revered Professor of the IHTP points out. Our music therapy is a specified training that goes deeply into the roots of the problems that have led the person to need help. The therapist is trained to work on changing behavior with the use of instruments, song and specific diagnostic aids. The Therapeutic Musician is trained to use the elements of music itself to help the client/listener access their own healing and they will follow the person with their expertise on the instrument and understanding of Resonance. In our Convergence training we make use of Guided imagery with Music, Art, Poetry, Movement and Social Consciousness themes, practised by both Therapeutic Musicians and Music Therapists; we all have a place to aid in mental health. It simply needs to be understood who does what with the training they have acquired. Not all people will have access to trained Music Therapists and/or a trained Therapeutic Harp Practitioner, but they can be helped by the music we provide to send to these facilities and shelters.

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