Music Therapy and the primal sound of the bass
Anne Diepman turned up for her Music Therapy audition with her bass guitar, her family and two friends. It was nerve-racking, as she hadn't been playing bass for very long. She's now in her first year at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede. ‘I thought: I can play a bit of music, but I’m probably not good enough to go to the conservatory.’
Anne comes from a musical family. She plays piano, double bass, bass guitar and sings, but couldn't picture herself among conservatory students. Still, at her mother's urging, she went to have a look around ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede.
‘I fell in love with the place the moment I walked in.’ The atmosphere is open and the people are friendly. Now she happily says: ‘I feel completely at home here.’
Musician and therapist
In the Music Therapy programme, you train to become both a musician and a therapist. Anne has lessons on various instruments, plays in an ensemble and learns how to use music to help others. As a music therapist, you need to have a good command of your instrument so you can focus on the client while making music.
Anne chose bass guitar as her main instrument. Not the most obvious choice, as she'd been playing piano and double bass for much longer. ‘I just thought the bass guitar was so cool. Every time I played it, I loved the sound.’ She decided to throw herself into learning the instrument for her audition and practised hard.
‘As a music therapist, you need to be able to help people in different ways, using a range of instruments.’
Anne Diepman and her brother, Rick Diepman
Anne didn't bring just one person to accompany her to the audition, but her whole family and two friends. Together, they formed a band, including guitarists, a singer and a drummer.
Anne played her bass guitar, improvised and sang a personal song she'd written herself. Because she was nervous, the song stirred up her emotions as she sang. But the audition panel stayed calm and gave her the space she needed.
Anne describes the atmosphere as open and reassuring. During the theory test, she also felt that not every mistake was a big deal. They looked at the bigger picture.
As steady as a bass guitar
Anne loves the sound of the bass guitar and the role it plays when making music together. ‘The bass guitar is really steady, of course. It's something you can really hold on to in a band.’ She also plays double bass, whose deep sound has a calming effect on her. She describes it as a kind of primal sound.
During the programme, Anne wants to discover what her instrument can mean to others. Perhaps the bass guitar can also offer a sense of stability when she's making music with a client.
Doing an internship during Music Therapy
Already in her first year, Anne is shadowing a music therapist working in elderly care. On her first day, she witnessed something that stayed with her.
At first, a client was a little reserved. But when the music therapist started making music, that slowly changed. There was more eye contact. The client began to smile and sing along. ‘It was really lovely to see the connection between the music therapist and the client.’
For now, Anne is mainly observing during her internship. To get to know the profession, she watches what the music therapist does and how clients respond.
‘I’m not quite sure yet which direction I want to take within music therapy. I’ll see where the programme takes me.’
Personal attention and different levels
Alongside her music lessons, Anne takes subjects such as Methodology and Music and Health. She learns about topics such as stress, ADHD and mild intellectual disabilities. In Methodology, she explores how to use music with a particular target group and the theory behind it.
There are ten students in her class, which she feels makes the lessons more personal. According to Anne, the lecturers are open and helpful. They also take into account what students can already do and what they still want to learn. In guitar lessons, for example, not everyone starts at the same level. Groups are formed based on experience.
Anne herself had been playing piano for years, but mostly by ear. Now, during her piano lessons, she's learning to better understand what she's playing and why.
Not sure? Come and have a look!
Anne's advice to prospective students considering Music Therapy is: ‘Just come and have a look. At first, I was absolutely convinced this wasn't the place for me.’ It was only during the Open Day that she discovered what the atmosphere at the academy was like.
She also wants to reassure others about the audition. You don't need to have been playing the same instrument for years, but good preparation and a certain level of musical ability are important.’ According to Anne, being a little nervous actually helps you stay focused. ‘Just enjoy playing and show what you can do.’
Anne never expected to be studying Music Therapy. If her mother hadn't encouraged her to go and have a look, she might never have ended up at ArtEZ. ‘And now here I am. I'm really happy I chose this programme.’
