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Deadline for the summer edition:
July 1, 2012.
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Greetings!
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Here
is the winter edition of the MAR newsletter, now in a different
format. I hope that you like the new look, that fonts will be
easier to read (even on cell phones), and that your newsletter continues
to provide you with information on music therapy in our region!
You can quickly access articles using the table of contents to the left.
Also,
if you change your email address, be sure to update it with AMTA
and with the editor of Tuning in to Rx Music so that you continue
receiving notification of future editions of the newsletter! Your
email address is used soley to receive Rx Music, occasional MAR-AMTA
notices, and electronic election ballots.
Thanks, Mark Ahola
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Regional Conference Update
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The 2012 regional conference in Baltimore is March 22-24 (pre-conf institute, March 21)
You
can find out more information by clicking on the conference logo to the
right, as well as by reading the MAR Conference Update here in Rx
Music. Also, note the call for papers for the research poster
session (under Research Committee).
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Shout it out for sponsors of Rx Music! Click on ads for more info
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President's Report
Kristen O'Grady, MA, MT-BC
|  Sending warm and sunny greetings during these cold winter months! It was a pleasure to see many familiar faces (and some new ones) during the AMTA conference in Atlanta this past November. The
executive board had a very productive and efficient meeting during the
conference and continues to work diligently in the months since. I am very excited to announce that the annual MAR-AMTA pre-conference institute will now be known as The David Ott Institute. The MAR has received a generous gift from the David's Fund charity to be applied directly to the institute. David's Fund was set up by Tom and Lucy Ott in memory of their son, David. You may recognize the Ott name, as Tom and Lucy Ott have a tradition of providing generous financial support to music therapy. The
annual gift will significantly increase the quality of the institute,
affording us opportunities to bring in accomplished international
speakers and providing an enriched learning experience. We hope you will consider joining us for the 2012 inaugural David Ott Institute prior our conference this year. As you probably are aware, the AMTA is considering moving the entry level of the profession to the Master's degree. The
Education and Training Advisory Board (ETAB) has engaged in rigorous
study regarding this potential change and has issued two documents for
members to consider. Please visit the Education and Training Information page on the AMTA website to review these documents and to provide feedback. The initial phase of the discussion was conducted during one of the Assembly of Delegates meetings during the AMTA conference. This
spring, the MAR (along with all other regions) will host an open forum
town hall meeting for members to provide feedback and ask questions. This meeting will be held during the MAR conference unopposed to any other conference activity. Please see the informational flyer in this newsletter for more details. Regional
conference is also the time when we recognize the tremendous quality of
music therapy that is occurring in the Mid-Atlantic Region. As president, it is my esteemed privilege to honor members and music therapy advocates with the recognition they deserve. Currently, I am seeking nominations for the Music Therapy Advocacy Award. Do
you know of an administrator, public official or other friend of music
therapy who has impacted the ability of clients to access music therapy
services? Perhaps it was through increasing access to
financial resources, promoting awareness of music therapy, or the
creation of new music therapy positions. We would like to honor a deserving recipient during the regional conference. For an advocacy award nomination form, please email me at kristenmarie120@hotmail.com (the form needs to be completed by February 20th, 2012). Finally, as we are now in January 2012, I just want to remind everyone that the AMTA Acronym Policy is now in effect. You
will continue to see the approved format for listing credentials and
licensures followed in all MAR documentation and conference programs,
and we encourage members to do the same. Once again, I would like to remind everyone that all MAR executive board meetings are open for members to attend. We would welcome the attendance of MAR members at our executive board meetings during the upcoming regional conference. Please feel free to email me at kristenmarie120@hotmail.com should you have any questions or concerns that you would like addressed by the board. It continues to be my great pleasure to serve the region as President. I look forward to seeing many of you in March. |
Immediate Past President's Report - Electronic Voting Update
Debbie Benkovitz, LSW, MSW, MT-BC
|  Happy New Year! I hope each of you had a good holiday and find good health, peace and lots of joy in 2012. It was good to see so many of you in Atlanta. The Mid Atlantic Region was well-represented and we continue to be trend setters in the music therapy world! We are currently looking into electronic voting, and we may end up being the first to use electronic voting for our board elections. The AMTA and other regions are also checking out the possibilities of voting online. Although
our next elections are still over a year away, in an effort to do
things correctly and work out any issues in advance, we have already
been checking out the possibilities for holding electronic elections. My
thanks to newsletter editor Mark Ahola, past newsletter editor Matt
Phillips, and AMTA staff Barb Else and Al Bumanis for weighing in on the
subject of electronic voting. We have two important considerations as we look at the various ways to hold electronic elect ions: 1) Ensuring that all paid, voting members receive ballots 2) Ensuring that ballots are secure (secret) and each qualified member gets only one vote Many
systems claim to ensure these perimeters, and we will likely use the
system we currently use for our newsletter, Constant Contact. In
order that we reach every member and get ballots to all the right
people, it is important that we have the correct contact information for
every member. Please remember that you are responsible for updating your contact information on the AMTA website. It is important that you keep your information current so that you can receive a ballot and other important information. Please look for a brief survey, a "sample ballot" so to speak, from the MAR newsletter editor in late February/early March, and be so kind as to fill it out. We
would like the MAR membership to experience electronic voting (which
will be in the form of a survey) before we make decisions about changing
the bylaws to include electronic voting. Plan to bring your questions about electronic voting to the MAR Business meeting in March or direct them to me via email. (deborah.benkovitz@chp.edu) Thank you for your attention to this matter. Stay warm and well and I can't wait to see you in Maryland in a couple of months! Sincerely, Debbie |
Public Relations Report
John Carpente, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC
|  Greetings and happy New Year my fellow MAR'ers! My
name is John Carpente and I am honored and excited to be the new Public
Relations Chair (PRC) for our region. I would like to thank the MAR's
previous PRC, Meghan Hinman, for doing such a great job during the last
two years and for helping me transition into this new position (she has
been a terrific guide and is always ready and available to lend a
helping hand). I
work in New York City and on Long Island at the Rebecca Center for
Music Therapy where I serve as the Founder/Executive Director. In
addition, I am a faculty member in the music and music therapy
departments at Molloy College. I have been a music therapist since 1996.
Since then and even before (wow, how time flies!) I have engaged in
several music and music therapy business initiatives in both the public
and private sectors. I have also been fortunate enough to have had
opportunities to be a part of business ventures outside of the music
profession. Through each venture that I have been involved in I was very
fortunate to partner and work individuals who have helped shape my
thinking in regards to marketing, advocacy, professionalism,
sustainability and the importance of changing ones thinking for the
greater good of the mission. I hope to bring my past experiences into my
new position as MAR's Public Relations Chair and look forward to
learning new ways of helping to promote and advocate music therapy in
our region. To
that end, I was very excited to learn that other music therapists
throughout our region wanted to lend their knowledge, expertise and
voices for advocacy- thus, a creating new Public Relations committee.
The PR committee features a wonderful group of talented music therapists
residing and working throughout our region. The Committee includes: Brian
Abrams, Anita Gadberry, Maria Hancock, Jill Lucente, Vern Miller, Julie
Neal Gabriella Ortiz, Noah Potvin, Roia Rafieyan and Michael Viega. (If you would like information about the committee or would like to join please contact me via email: jcarpmusic@gmail.com) Already
the Public Relations Committee has swung into action and has begun
planning several supportive initiatives that we hope will assist music
therapists in spreading the good word of our profession. They are: 1) Developing a Presence on Facebook-
since June 2011, the MAR Facebook page has grown to nearly 800 members.
It has been a wonderful billboard to promote and advocate Music Therapy
in regards to conferences, events, book reviews, job listings, and
serving as a resource for therapists and potential clients (just to name
a few). Links to our Facebook page can now be found on the MAR website
as well as on the MAR newsletter. 2) Mentoring for Advocacy-
the purpose for this program is to assist MTs in our region in helping
them advocate MT in their respective communities and or work places.
Here's how it will initially work: by early March of 2012 I will have
created a data base that will include a listing of the entire PR
committee and the support services being offered to the MAR members. For
example (just to name a few): You may be doing a presentation on MT and
autism for a school or parent group and would like some guidance. We
can help! Or, you may require a helping hand in putting together a MT
and end-of-life-care talk for a medical group. We can help! Or, you may
be just interested in podcasting and or starting a blog but aren't sure
how to go about it. We can help! Maybe you want to reach out to a
community group, but aren't sure how to take the first step. We can
help! Or, maybe you're a new MT professional and feel a bit
uncomfortable presenting in your community or place of work. We may have
someone on the PR Committee who resides nearby you that can lend
assistance. The purpose of this plan is to empower and assist music
therapists in advocating and promoting the profession by providing
individualized support. I hope to have data base completed and online by
March, 2012. 3) Public Relations Presentation/Round Table- at our upcoming MAR conference in Baltimore the PRC will be providing a presentation/roundtable entitled: Public Relations in the MAR: Orchestrating an Ensemble of Voices for Advocacy and Leadership in our Region. It will feature
talks from several members of MAR's Public Relations Committee focusing
on three main areas: 1) the committee's purpose, function and plans, 2)
discussion and practical ideas on how to advocate and promote music
therapy and 3) practical tips and techniques of how to utilize social
media for advocacy. In
addition to the new initiatives the MAR continues to provide members
with promotional materials. Members are using the online form to request
brochures and other materials for their own local public relations
outreach. This system seems to work great and I want to encourage everyone to utilize the resources that are available. Check out the PR page on the website for more information including Powerpoint slide presentations and templates. Please
contact me with any questions, suggestions, or requests about public
relations issues. I'm looking forward to serving the region! |
Archivist Report
Barbara Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC
|  MAR Archives - Please Send Your Materials!! I
am pleased to have been appointed as MAR Archivist. I would like to
acknowledge the wonderful job that Sister Donna Marie Beck has done with
the archives and thank her for all of her work! Katie Myers is our
current student archivist and has made good progress in organizing the
archives and copying information onto an external hard drive. Before
long, we should be able to access material from the archives without
making a trip to Duquesne University, where they are housed. I
would like to ask each of you to contribute materials to the archives.
This can potentially include anything that is relevant to AMTA and MAR
history, including newsletter, minutes, state information, publicity,
university information - you can see that the possibilities are
endless!! But if members do not send materials, we will not have them.
Since I am still learning what we already have, it is probably a good
idea to check with me before sending something. Please DO let me know
what you have that you might be willing to send. An e-mail is the best
way to reach me (see my e-mail address below). I look forward to hearing from many of you and to continuing to build the MAR Archives. Thank you!
Barbara L. Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC
MAR Archivist Retired Professor, University of Louisville Professor Emerita, Montclair State University
Barbara.wheeler@louisville.edu |
Treasurer's Report
Noel Anderson, MT-BC | 
Happy
New Year! Our Operating Budget currently has a balance of $61, 632. The
Conference account balance is currently $7,224.81. While the Vanguard
Money Market account balance is $27,117.06.
An
external financial review of the past two fiscal years is still in
process, according to our Policies and Procedures. The accounts reviewed
include the Operating Budget, Passages, and the Student account.
Next
month, budget line representatives from the Executive Board will begin
the budget process for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
I am excited to report that individuals may now make tax-deductible donations securely through the MAR website! Visit www.mar-amta.org and click "Donate" on the left side of the page.
Thanks
go to the Finance Committee for your wisdom and patience as I continue
to learn new aspects of the Treasurer position. Thank you Kristen
O'Grady, Debbie Benkovitz, Julie Neal, and Elaine Abbott.
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New York State Task Force on Occupational Regulation (NYSTF)
Donna Polen, LCAT, MT-BC
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Respectfully submitted by Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC
Information current as of 1/11/12
The voting members of NYSTF, appointed by the MAR Executive Board, are: Lora F. Heller, MS Ed, LCAT, MT-BC; Beth R. McLaughlin, MS, LCAT, MT-BC; Donna W. Polen, LCAT, MT-BC, Chair; Evelyn C. Selesky, MA, LCAT, MT-BC; and Madelaine Ventre, MS, Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, LCAT, MT-BC. Ex-officio members, without the right to vote, are: Lorie Grucella, Student Representative; Maria Hricko Fay, MSW/LSW, LCAT, MT-BC, MAR Government Relations Chair; Judy Simpson, MHP, MT-BC, AMTA Director of Government Relations; and Kristin O'Grady, MA, MT-BC, MAR President.
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS BOARD MEETING
The
New York State Mental Health Practitioners Board last held a meeting on
Friday, October 28, 2011. Topics discussed at this meeting included the
following:
- Discussion on workforce functions and licensure;
- Corporate practice of the professions;
- Report on professional examinations;
- Discussion
of practice issues (including use of technology to provide
psychotherapy and overlaps between "multi-systemic therapy" and the
licensed professions).
Tentative meeting dates for the MHP Board for 2012 are February 10, May 4, and October 19, 2012.
UPCOMING VACANCIES ON MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS BOARD
Each
of the four professions (Creative Arts Therapy, Marriage and Family
Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, and Psychoanalysis) holds three
seats on the State Board. The current CAT representatives are Elizabeth
Gonzalez-Dolginko (art), Bryan Hunter (music), and Sandra Ramos
(music). Bryan's term on the State Board is coming to a close. He is an
original member of the Board and has served as many terms as are
allowed. June 30, 2012, is his final day. Sandra Ramos's term ends on
10/31/13, and Elizabeth Gonzalez-Dolginko's term ends on 12/31/11.
NYSTF is working to seek out possible candidates to nominate for
upcoming vacancies. The State Board may decide to go with dance or drama
instead, but they will consider all nominations.
NYSTF SESSION AT AMTA CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA
The
NYSTF presented a concurrent session at the AMTA conference in Atlanta.
There was a large turn-out for the session with a broad range of
questions raised by attendees, including concerns related to limited
permits and supervision, review of education requirements, and waivers
for qualified not-for-profit and educational corporations.
PLANS SUBMITTED BY CERTAIN AGENCIES EXEMPT FROM LICENSURE
Legislation
enacted in 2010 provides an exemption from licensure as a psychologist,
licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, mental
health counselor, marriage and family therapist, creative arts therapist
or psychoanalyst for individuals in certain programs until July 1,
2013. Each exempt agency (Division of Health, Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services, Office of Children and Family Services, Office
of Mental Health, and Office for People with Developmental
Disabilities) submitted to the State Education Department a report on
the utilization of personnel subject to the provisions of those sections
of law, and an online survey was posted for individuals, agencies and
organizations to submit comments on each proposal. Although
the survey closed on 12/30/11, you can still access the agency reports
here:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/surveys/mhpsw/exempt-agencyrpts.htm
NEW YORK STATE MEETING AT MAR CONFERENCE IN BALTIMORE
As always, the NYSTF will facilitate the NY State meeting at the upcoming MAR conference in Baltimore in March 2012.
ONGOING SUPPORT TO MUSIC THERAPISTS
NYSTF
continues to respond to a variety of requests for guidance in the
application process and questions about various practice issues. NYSTF
Chair Donna Polen communicates regularly with music therapists
throughout NYS and beyond who have questions and concerns about the
licensing process or who have encountered employment issues related to
the LCAT law. In addition, she corresponds with non-MTs who are curious
about the LCAT. Ongoing education of the public, of consumers, of
practitioners, and of employers is becoming a large part of the routine
work of NYSTF.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive updates from NYSTF, please contact us directly at: nystf@aol.com
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AMTA Special Target Populations Committee Update
Gretchen Chardos Benner, LSW, MT-BC
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The
AMTA Special Target Populations Committee met during the AMTA
Conference and is comprised of Alyssa Caperna (AMTAS), Gretchen Chardos
Benner (MAR), Emily Wangen (MWR), Stephanie Clark (NER), Amber
Weldon-Stephens (SER), Debbie Dacus (SWR), Patti Catalano (WR), and
chair Lee Anna Rasar (GLR).
The committee's goal is to provide
coordination for networking opportunities among practitioners of special
target populations, between committees and with professionals in
related fields. Other information and reports are available through the
Members Only Section of the AMTA website. A Special Target Populations
Networking Luncheon will be facilitated at the MARAMTA Conference in MD.
The networking luncheon will occur on Friday 3/23/12 from 12:30-1:30pm.
Please make plans to participate!
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Student Affairs Advisor Report for MARAMTS
Nicole Hahna, PhD, Mt-BC, Advisor, & Emily Walsh, MTS Vice-President
|   Happy
New Year! As the Student Affairs Advisor and Vice President of the
Mid-Atlantic Region Association for Music Therapy Students (MARMATS), we
have decided to submit a joint report highlighting significant events
for the students in the MAR. Here are some of the events that have taken
place since the last newsletter report:
We
would like to take a moment to thank the students on the MARAMTS
executive board (President: Kaillie Enser; Vice President, Emily Walsh;
Parliamentarian: Eden Schutzer; Secretary: DeAnna Klapp; Treasurer:
Ashley Carlisle; Government Relations, Melinda Korte; Past President:
Stephanie Kawzenuck) for all of the hard work they have put in, in
service to our region. It is truly a pleasure to work with such a
dedicated group of students. We would also like to thank the outgoing
Passages co-chairs, Jill Lucente, MS, MT-BC and Kelsey Alvarez, MTS, as
well as the faculty and students at Molloy College, for a successful MAR
Passages held on October 15, 2011. We are also excited to announce the
new co-chairs of the 2012 MAR Passages, Amy Myers, a Junior music
therapy major at Marywood, and Michelle Muth, MT-BC, a new professional
and graduate from Slippery Rock University. This year's MAR Passages
will be held at Marywood University. Additional details regarding this
year's conference will be announced by the co-chairs soon. We would like
to thank Dr. Anita Gadberry for hosting this year's conference and we
look forward attending this wonderful event.
In
other news, the MARAMTS executive board has been busy creating an
official Officers' Duties Manual to pass on to future executive board
members, which is available to the executive board via Google Docs and
the MARAMTS Google Site. The manual highlights the exact duties of each
position and puts them into a detailed timeline for the calendar year.
Thank you to our Secretary, DeAnna, for all of the work she has put into
creating this on-going document. Also, the MARAMTS President, Kaillie
Enser, is continuing to organize a student project called "Drums for
Jamaica." So far, she has helped MARAMTS to raise over $1200 to support
this product. If you would be interested in taking part in this
fundraiser, please contact Kaillie at MARAMTSpresident@gmail.com
The
MARAMTS executive board is also excited to collaborate with Rita Mahew
and Tom Hawley for the MAR-AMTA Student Service Project in Baltimore, MD
this year. The service project will take place at Stella Maris on
Thursday, March 22, 2012. Stella Maris, a non-profit organization that
"provides a comprehensive range of housing and health services for the
care of the elderly, the sick, the injured, and the dying." Students
interested in volunteering for this project should contact their MT Club
Student Representatives. Each school's Student Representatives will
then email the MARAMTS Secretary, DeAnna (MARAMTSsecretary@gmail.com)
by the end of January. If you do not know who your Chapter
Representative is, or if you would like to assign two students to
represent your university's music therapy club, please contact DeAnna.
For additional information on the Student Service Project, please
contact Rita Mayhew, MMT, MT-BC (rmayhew@howardcc.edu).
Be
sure to look for MARAMTS at the conference in Baltimore this March!
There will be water bottles and tote bags for sale at the MARAMTS booth.
If you would like to order a tote bag online, go to http://www.mar-amta.org/students/maramts/news.html#MARAMTSfundraiser.
Government Relations Chair, Melinda Korte, is also working to set up
the annual canning project as a benefit for a charity organization.
Information about these events will be sent from the MARAMTS Secretary,
DeAnna Klapp-so stay tuned! You can also stay up-to-date with MARAMTS
information on our Facebook Group
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/46890735121/) and Twitter Account (@MAR_AMTS).
We
would like to remind music therapy students that will be interning in
2012 to apply for the Jenny Shinn Memorial Intern Scholarship. The
deadline to apply for this scholarship is Friday, January 27, 2012.
Additional information on this scholarship, including application forms,
can be found at the following link: http://www.mar-amta.org/students/scholarships.html.
Completed applications must be received (either via email or snail
mail) by the midnight on the due date. Incomplete applications will not
be accepted. For additional information on the Jenny Shinn Memorial
Intern Scholarship, or to submit your electronic applications, email the
Student Affairs Advisor at MARAMTSadvisor@gmail.com.
Scholarship winners for the MAR awards will be announced at the
regional conference, the MAR-AMTA Newsletter, and on the MARAMTS
Facebook Page.
We
are pleased to announce the following scholarship winners: Melissa
Master's, Sophomore Scholarship, Megan Neil, Junior Scholarship,
Stephanie Straus, Sophomore Scholarship, Ashley Taylor, Junior
Scholarship, and Corinne Woolley, Graduate Scholarship. Congratulations
to this year's winners! The judging for these awards was difficult, as
all of the applicants were so well qualified. Many thanks to all of the
students that applied for this award and to the chapter representatives
that volunteered to serve as our judges. Please stay tuned for an
announcement of the Club Award and Jenny Shinn Memorial Intern
Scholarship winners.
Should
you have any questions about MARAMTS, or wish to take part in any of
the events sponsored by MARAMTS, please feel free to contact us.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nicole Hahna and Emily Walsh
MARAMTSadvisor@gmail.com
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Research Committee Report
Andrea McGraw Hunt, PhD, MT-BC
|  The Research Committee is gearing up for a very exciting Research Track at the Baltimore Conference. We are very pleased that Dr. Christian Gold from the Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre in Bergen, Norway will be joining us for two stimulating lectures. Dr. Gold is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy,
and is well-known for his randomized control trials and work in
psychiatry and mental health. His plenary lecture titled, "Music Therapy
Research in the 21st Century: From Separation to Integration" will
headline our series of sessions. He will also present a session titled,
"Collaborative Research Projects in Music Therapy in Mental Health: The
House and its Rooms." In
addition to Dr. Gold's presentations, we will be adding a session
highlighting recently completed doctoral research by MAR members to our
usual fare for the Research Track at the conference. Because
of the growing number of PhD recipients in the region, we felt it was
important to showcase the innovative research these graduates are
contributing to our field. During the 110-minute session, at least four
new PhDs will give 20-minute summaries of their dissertations, followed
by time for questions and dialogue. Our
other Research Track sessions will include an overview of music therapy
research published in 2011, as well as a workshop for new researchers
on how to develop a research topic and questions. We hope you will join
us for any or all of these exciting, informative sessions. But
before the conference begins, please remember two important deadlines!
First, if you are in need of funding for a research project, the MAR Research Award application deadline is February 15, 2012.
The $2000 award will go to an outstanding research or project proposal
that is consistent with the mission of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the
AMTA. Members of the MAR from any membership category are eligible for
the award and can use the funds toward the costs of a research project.
Consider applying if your project needs funding for statistics
consultation, use of psychological measurement tools, equipment, or
other costs. The Research Committee will announce the winner of the
award at the 2012 MAR Conference in Baltimore. You can find the
application materials and instructions for submission on the MAR website
(http://mar-amta.org/opps/special_project_award.html). The second deadline is for our Call for Posters for the Research Poster Session. Researchers should send their 200-word abstracts of completed research projects by February 17, 2012 to Dr. Tony Meadows at ameadows@immaculata.edu. This
session provides both student and professional researchers the
opportunity to briefly present their research through a 10-minute Power
Point presentation followed by an informal poster exhibition. The event
is a wonderful showcase of the innovative music therapy research being
conducted in the region. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact Tony at: 610 647 4400 x3159, or at the above email address. |
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Key Notes
|  Drexel
University M.A. Program in Creative Arts Therapies-Music Therapy and
the Ph.D. Program in Creative Arts Therapies announce their open house
schedules for 2012 at the Center City, Hahnemann, campus.
Visitation
Days for the M..A. program include meeting with a class representative,
program faculty, attending classes and meeting with current students,
followed by a discussion about the application process with our
Admissions Coordinator.
Dates for the M.A. Open House Sessions in 2012:
Wednesday, January 18, 9:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday February 1, 5:30pm-7:00pm
Wednesday, February 22, 9:00am-2:00 pm
Wednesday, March 7, 9:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday, April 11, 9:00am-2:00 pm
Wednesday, May 16, 9:00am-2:00 pm
Saturday June 2, 10:am-noon
Tuesday August 27, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Contact:: . George Urgo, Admissions Coordinator, gdu23@drexel.edu - 215-762-6921
______________________________________________________________________
The
Ph.D Program in Creative Arts Therapies at Drexel University is pleased
to invite you to a presentation or class visit for this new and
exciting educational program. Meet the students, faculty and other
interested colleagues. Bring your ideas and questions. We have several opportunities for you to attend. We hope you will find one of these opportunities compatible with your schedule.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Presentation and Info Session with Dr. Gerber, 10-12am
Monday, January 23, 2012 1:00-4:50 pm
Meet with Dr. Gerber at 1pm
Class Visit: ARTS 704: Interdisciplinary Seminar II: Psychology, biology,neuroscience and the creative arts therapies.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:00am-1:00 pm
Class Visit: Quantitative Research Methods
Meet with Dr. Gerber at 12:30pm
Monday, February 13, 2012 1:00-4:50 pm
Meet with Dr. Gerber at 1pm
Class
Visit: ARTS 704: Interdisciplinary Seminar II: Psychology,
biology, neuroscience and the creative arts therapies.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 9:00am-1:00 pm
Class Visit: Quantitative Research Methods
Meet with Dr. Gerber at 12:30pm
Contact: George Urgo, Admissions Coordinator, gdu23@drexel.edu - 215-762-6921
Barb
MacLean wants to celebrate her upcoming retirement with her Music
Therapy friends and colleagues. Please stop by during the Dessert
Bar at the Conference. (Check for location on Message Board or in
the conference program.) NO GIFTS, please.
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MAR Conference Update
Mike Viega, MMT, MT-BC, Vice-President for Conference Planning
|  Hello MAR members! We are highly anticipating this years MAR-AMTA Conference on March 21st-March 24th
in Baltimore MD. Thank you to everyone involved-- both local and
regional committee members--for all your hard work and dedication. Conference registration, the preliminary program, hotel information and other conference details can be found online. http://mar-amta.org/events/conferences/ Keep
checking MAR's website for updates and additions to the program
including discounts with local businesses, travel information, and local
entertainment. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the many events at this year's conference: - A
plenary session celebrating the life and legacy of Helen Bonny. This
event will feature special quests Erich Bonny, Madelaine Ventre, Carol
Bush, and Sierra Stokes. They will share how Helen Bonny's personal and
professional life influenced the development of Guided Imagery and
Music. Helen's roots in Baltimore MD. will be explored including her
research at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. In addition, Carolyn Sonnen will arrange a special musical dedication to Helen Bonny.
- Town
Hall Meting: Facilitated by members of the Education and Training
Advisory Board (ETAB), this meeting will offer opportunities to discuss
the information included in the two advisories, Master's-Level Entry:
Core Considerations and Master's-Level Entry: Moving Forward, created by
ETAB.
- A special research track featuring Dr. Christian
Gold. Dr. Gold is professor at Grieg Academy and University of Bergen,
Norway, as well as the principal researcher at the Grieg Academy Music
Therapy Research Centre (GAMUT), Uni Research,
Bergen, Norway. In addition, he is the editor-in-chief of the Nordic
Journal of Music Therapy. We are very excited about Dr. Gold's visit to
MAR!
- Amazing entertainment like Thursday night's Exhibit Hall Spectacular featuring The Garnet Hearts https://www.facebook.com/thegarnethearts and Friday night's Dessert Bar featuring the Junkyard Saints! http://junkyardsaints.com/
For more information about this year's entertainment visit http://mar-amta.org/events/conferences/entertainment.html#dessertbar - An
amazing array of inventive and unique CMTEs and concurrent sessions
featuring a student oriented track, a hospice track, and a research
track.
- A special Advocacy In Action CMTE with a visit to Capital Hill in Washington DC.
- Jam Rooms open from 6:30pm-2:00am!
- A closing drum circle on Saturday with facilitator Jason Armstrong Baker, MT-BC
And much, much, much more!! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestion about this year's conference, please contact me at mikeviega@yahoo.com Music Therapy: Learn More, Create More, B-MORE!! See you in Baltimore! |
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Town Hall Meeting Announcement
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The Education and Training Advisory Board (ETAB) presents:
Master's Level Entry: Envisioning the Future
A town hall session
Friday March 23
3:45pm-4:45pm
The town hall meeting location will
be announced at the conference
This
session will offer opportunities to discuss the information included in
the papers presented by ETAB to AMTA members regarding moving entry
into the profession of music therapy to the master's degree level.
The
papers, Master's Level Entry: Core Considerations and Master's Level
try: Moving Forward are available on the AMTA website in the public
section under the Careers tab on the Education and Clinical Training
page and in the Members Only section on the ETAB page.
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Government Relations News
Maria Hricko Fay, LSW, LCAT, MT-BC
|  Government Relations deals with all issues related to music therapy advocacy and recognition in the region. Much
work is being done both nationally and regionally by hard working and
dedicated music therapists seeking the best way to get the MT-BC
credential recognized in each state. Here are just some of the many ways this is happening . National News The 2011 Conference of the American Music Therapy Association was in Atlanta, Georgia from November 16 -November 20, 2011. The following are highlights: 1. North Dakota and Nevada now have state licensure for music therapy! Both states are currently developing regulations for these licenses. 2. Senator Mo Denis from Nevada attended the Government Relations meeting and shared the process of bill introduction. He
offered suggestions, encouraging other states to gather as much support
as possible before bills are introduced and to work toward resolving
any concerns of opposing groups as early as possible in the process. Senator Denis shared his passion for music therapy and how he utilized music to help get the bill through the Senate. 3. There are 35 state Task Forces actively working with AMTA and CBMT on the state recognition
operational plan. In 2012, AMTA is anticipating the introduction of
licensure legislation in four states: Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina,
and Oklahoma; and the introduction of registry or certification
legislation in four states: Colorado, Indiana, South Carolina, and
Washington. All Task Forces are engaging state music therapists in educating legislators and building support for music therapy recognition. Check out the new CBMT website under Advocacy to find out information on state recognition and for a nifty state task forces map! There is also information on the AMTA website under Policy and Advocacy. 4. AMTA
continues its national advocacy and professional representation with
Congress and multiple Washington DC-based coalitions and alliances. A few of the Hill visits completed by AMTA staff include: Senator Murray - Washington, Representative Giffords - Arizona, Senator Reid - Nevada, Senator Bennett - Colorado. Issues
discussed included: AMTA's support for maintaining access to programs
within Medicare and Medicaid and healthcare improvements under the
Affordable Care Act. The benefits of music therapy and examples of potential cost-savings were also highlighted. 5. Music
Therapy has been selected to receive a stand-alone Occupational
Classification within the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) O-Net Program. The
Occupational Information Network (O-Net) (formerly the Dictionary of
Occupational Titles) is updated every three-four years and is used by
millions of people, including students, human resource professionals,
job-seekers, and state-based employment transition offices.
Collaborating with Board representatives and CBMT staff, support
documentation and occupation expert information was submitted and has
been accepted. 6. AMTA,
for the third year, is planning to participate in the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Children's
Mental Health Awareness Day, on May 9, 2012. Members are encouraged to consider offering experiential music events in their communities. As more details become available, suggested activities will be posted on the members-only section of the AMTA website. 7. Arts Advocacy Day will be held April 16-17, 2012 in Washington DC. AMTA
will once again serve as a co-sponsor for this event and will
participate with the legislative planning committee in developing an
arts in health issue brief. All members are encouraged to consider participation in this national training that includes visits to Capitol Hill. 8. Social Media Advocacy Month - In
January 2012, over 3 dozen music therapy bloggers and podcasters are
working with the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and
Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) as they spread the word
about music therapy advocacy and the State Recognition Operational Plan
through the social media airwaves.Follow the action on these blogs and podcasts by "liking" AMTA on Facebook, "liking" CBMT on Facebook, and following AMTA on Twitter. Regional News New Jersey State Task Force (NJSTF): Chair - Vacant There is no state activity to report at this time. Contact Maria Hricko Fay if you are interested in chairing or becoming involved in this Task Force. New York State Task Force (NYSTF): Chair - Donna Polen See the NYSTF article in this newsletter for specific updates. Pennsylvania State Task Force (PASTF): Chair - Valerie Uschock The PASTF is currently seeking an additional task force member to represent eastern PA. Need an incentive? You
can use task force work to count for recertification. There are two
sub-categories of "Professional Services Credits" that task force work
can count towards: "Services to Music Therapy Organizations" and
"Involvement in External Organizations" (refer to page 21 in the
Recertification Manual). You can count up to 20 credits of "Professional Services" towards each 5-year recertification cycle! Contact Valerie Uschock at val@mtprogressions.com or Maria Fay at mariafay@marywood.edu if you are interested. As
I write this, the PA Task Force is working to finish a survey to update
information regarding important issues faced by PA music therapists. PLEASE take the time to fill out this survey. This
will give the Task Force valuable and current information. The Task
Force is also looking to post information to PA music therapists about
becoming a provider for the Managed Care Organization named Community
Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania (CBHNP). Be on the lookout for this information. Virginia State Task Force (VSTF): Chair - Barbara Stewart A survey for VA music therapists was compiled. The
survey will assist the task force members in their efforts to best suit
the needs of VA music therapists....again PLEASE fill this out when it
is posted. They will use the results of the survey to
create a fact sheet for their state. The Task Force has identified a
few opportunities to advocate in various places in VA. They are also
looking to develop relationships with legislators, so if you have any
connections, contact one of the task force members. Baltimore Conference 2012 1. Join us for Music Therapy Advocacy in Action: Capitol Hill Day. This is a FREE
6 credit CMTE that is going to be offered Wednesday night (3-21-12)
after the Pre-Conference Institute and Thursday morning
(3-22-12).Participants will learn the necessary advocacy skills to
successfully communicate with federal and state legislators, agency
staff, and other stakeholders. On Thursday morning, attendees will
travel to Capitol Hill and meet with federal legislators and
Congressional Staff to promote inclusion of music therapy in health and
education legislation. A wrap-up discussion will be
offered during concurrent sessions to include a review of successful
strategies and an outline for future advocacy tasks, including Hill
Visit follow-up correspondence. This will prove to be an invaluable
experience...plan to B-there to Learn More, Create More, B-More! More details will follow shortly on the MAR website. 2. There will be a Task Force Meeting bright and early Friday morning from 7:15am - 8:15am during the conference. All members of the MAR Task Forces will meet to support and organize task force efforts in our region. Looking forward to seeing you in Baltimore!!!! |
Report from the Assembly Chair
Gary L. Verhagen, LCAT, MT-BC
|  According
to the MAR Constitution and By-Laws, the role of the Assembly Chair is
to be the liaison between the members of the MAR representatives to the
AMTA Assembly and the MAR Executive Board. The Assembly Chair also assists the MAR President in ensuring that the MAR has full representation at all Assembly meetings. Following
the example of Donna Polen, the previous Assembly Chair, I have also
attempted to keep the MAR membership appraised of business that is
likely to come before the Assembly. After all, the role of the MAR Delegates to the Assembly is to represent your views. Both the Assembly and the Assembly-Elect met during the AMTA conference in Atlanta, GA this past November. The Assembly heard reports from the three standing councils about the work of the various committees. The Assembly acted on recommendations from the Standards of Practice Committee and passed some revised standards. I would encourage you to go to the AMTA website to view the changes to the Standard of Practice Document. A
significant amount of the Assembly's time was set aside for a question
and answer session with the Education and Training Advisory Board
(ETAB). Two years ago, ETAB submitted a "white paper"
to the Assembly for consideration of moving the entry level degree for
Music Therapy to the Masters level. ETAB submitted a second paper for further consideration to the Assembly at the meeting in Atlanta. I am proud to state that your Assembly Delegates asked thoughtful questions of the ETAB during the meeting. I encourage you, as an MAR member, to take the following steps while this topic of Master's level entry is taking place. First,
I invite you to visit the AMTA website and view both papers from the
ETAB so that you are fully informed of the issues surrounding the
proposed movement to a Master's entry level. Second, I encourage you to share your views on this topic with your Assembly Delegates. It is only through open and meaningful dialogue that your views can be represents by your Delegates. The Assembly-Elect met on Sunday morning with the task of electing four representatives to the AMTA Board of Directors. The Assembly-Elect also elected the Speaker of the Assembly and the Assistant Speaker. Congratulations to MAR member Brian Abrams for being selected as the Assembly Speaker for the next two years. Early
in my music therapy education, my major professor instilled in me a
belief that one must serve their profession in order to fulfill
professional responsibilities. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as Assembly Chair during these past two years. |
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Thank you for reading this issue of Rx Music.
Feel free to contact me with feedback or suggestions!
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Mark Ahola, MM, LCAT, MT-BC
Editor, Rx Music
Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association
editor@mar-amta.org
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Clive
Robbins passed away on December 7, 2011. You can click on links
below to find out more about his life. There is also a facebook link
below for posting memories of Clive.
