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Music Therapy
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Course

Course

Your love for music and people is the starting point for the Music Therapy study. During the course, you will gain extensive musical and therapeutic knowledge, which you will immediately learn to apply in practice. Ultimately, you choose the specialisation that matches your talent and the role that you want to fulfil as a music therapist.

What will you learn on the Music Therapy course?

The Music Therapy course is made up of clusters that each contribute to your musical, therapeutic and personal growth:

  • Making music: For three years you will receive weekly individual tuition on your main instrument. You will also take part in a choir class and various ensembles and follow improvisation, singing, piano, guitar and drumming classes.
  • Music Theory Workshop: You will start by composing and then study music theory and the history of music from a particular period. You will also follow lessons in the auditory practical.
  • Music Therapy: You learn to work according to methods with different target groups and follow subjects such as theory about music therapy, health education, psychology and basic medical knowledge. In the TechLab, you will learn how to use music technology for therapeutic purposes.
  • Internship and practice: From the very first study year onwards, all knowledge is brought together and you learn to work carefully and purposefully with different target groups. You will immediately see what effect music therapy can have.
  • Projects and free study area. Broaden your network and horizons during multidisciplinary projects and projects in the field. In the free study area, you investigate your interests in the subject and discover who you are as a music therapist.

Structure of the course

  • In the first year you will develop basic knowledge and skills in therapy, music, performance and healthcare. You explore the work field and the various professional roles you can have in it as a music therapist. In the music workshop, you will develop your ear, your knowledge of music theory and learn to write your own music.

    Making a direct difference

    You get to work in practice right away. To get to know the target group and to discover what you would like to do most; you will do an exploratory internship. You will also work with your fellow students on practical assignments from the field, such as making music together with cellists, percussionists or a rehabilitant on the Eyeharp. So you can make a real difference right away.

    Projects

    During the Improvisation week, you will work with students from other courses on improvisations in both music and other disciplines. You will follow improvisation workshops with renowned guest teachers from the Netherlands and abroad, where your creativity will be truly challenged.

    In the annual Music Therapy Project Week you will work with fellow students, master course students and alumni on current themes or issues in music therapy. 

    During the Location Project Week there are workshops and master classes for the entire academy of music. You will work intensively with students from other music courses. A good opportunity to get to know the academy of music, broaden your horizons and make contacts.

    Honours Lab

    If you want to go into more (theoretical) depth and build an impressive CV, in the first year you can also apply for admission to the Honours Lab.

  • In year two, you broaden your perspective on the professional field and the role of the music therapist. You practise with music therapy working formats and learn to put information from your subjects into practice.

    Self-reflection

    As a music therapist, you often find yourself in complex situations. Good self-reflection helps you stand firmer. That is why this year you will have a conversation with yourself: Who am I and how do I want to develop? 

    Internship in special education  

    Together with a Music in Education student, you will do an internship at a school for special education. This is how you will discover whether the remedial education music therapist specialisation might be for you.

    Projects

    The Music Therapy Practice Office receives questions from the professional field, which you can use. Think, for example, of organising a concert or performance or thinking about a potential use of new music technology. 

  • In the third year, you will study a specific part of the field and your professional role within it. Accordingly, the third year is all about the internship.

    Self-selected internship

    For eight months, you will spend three days a week as an intern at a target group and institution of your choice. You do this under the guidance of an experienced music therapist, so that you are well prepared for your future profession. Students have done internships at UMCG (University Medical Centre Groningen), School Lyndensteyn and Connect by Music.

    Connection with the academy of music  

    During your internship you will remain an active part of the ArtEZ community. You will attend the course weekly to make music with your fellow students, to exchange experiences and to be coached by our professionals.

  • In year four, you will apply all the knowledge you have gained in your studies in a professional role, method or innovation of your choice. You will choose a graduation profile. You will be supervised by specialists in this field. 

    Graduation profiles

    You can specialise in these profiles:

    In-depth internship or practical project

    You will find your practice this year in a self-chosen in-depth internship or an independent practical project with which you colour your profile.

    Graduation product


    You will complete your course with your own innovative end product. This could take the form of your own collection of songs, an app you have developed, a music therapy method, an in-depth literature study or a challenging question from the professional field.

    Musical final performance

    It goes without saying that after the Music Therapy course, you will not only be a therapist but also a musician. You will demonstrate your musical skills during the finals and the final musical performance that you will create together with your fellow students.

Music & Health

Musicians are subject to exacting physical and mental demands. That is why at ArtEZ we place the necessary emphasis on healthy music making. We do this especially during project days/weeks. You will follow a series of classes about the healthy use of your voice and learn to recognise and avoid work-related physical issues.

Studying in Enschede

You can find more information about studying in Enschede here.

Doing research outside of your regular class hours

When you study at ArtEZ, you also get acquainted with research. Think of theory classes, material research, and socially engaged research. Within your course, there is ample support and space to discover what kind of artistic researcher you are. But outside your regular class hours, there are also special initiatives, activities, and workshops where you can work on research. Especially for students who seek further depth. Curious? Then quickly read more about the (extracurricular) research activities.

Doing research outside of your regular class hours