Music Therapy and Wellness Department
Music is processed throughout much of the brain, making it an ideal medium for healing and developing strategies for learning, coping, and enjoying life. Music therapists use music, in all its amazing ways, shapes and forms, to achieve therapeutic goals. No particular music ability or training is needed to benefit from music therapy. Music elicits responses due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with it, which eventually leads to therapeutic benefits.
Because music therapy is increasingly recognized for its unique contribution to clients’ quality of life, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has teamed up with providers of health and human services in the greater Milwaukee metro area to provide clients with easy access to the immense benefits of music therapy. Music therapy services are available on a contractual basis, tailor-made to the specific needs of each agency or individual. Starting with 5 clients in 1990, the music therapy program has grown to serve approximately 600-1,000 clients annually. Using a pool of board-certified music therapists, the Conservatory’s music therapy program guarantees strong expertise as well as flexible scheduling when designing a customized music therapy program. Financial Aid is available on a first come-first serve basis.
The Conservatory's Bonnie Jean Barczak, Music Therapy Department Chair, was recently interviewed by examiner.com for an article called Music that heals: Medical and surgical relief. Read it here.
What We Offer:
- Board-certified music therapists
- Music therapy for groups, facilitated by a qualified music therapist and/or music therapy intern, for up to 10 people.
- Individualized, one-on-one music therapy sessions
- Adaptive lessons for students with special needs
- Recreational music services are for groups of 11 or more people. These groups are facilitated by a music therapist and/or music therapy intern and have musical and/or therapeutic goals, such as adaptive lessons, large social and/or music groups, and wellness and performance groups.
- Wellness classes focus on achieving balance in life, coping with life changes, and fostering creativity throughout the lifespan.
- University-affiliated music therapy internship program with Alverno College and UW-Eau Claire.
- Free admission to all Conservatory- produced performances and master classes
- Use of the Dorothea Music Library with over 50,000 CDs and LPs, DVD scores and books
- Financial aid
Faculty:
*Bonnie Jean Barczak, Chair
Jan Brandes
Kate Craney-Welch
Karen Darga
Pat Kaiser
Kerry Ramthun
Jeanette Seitz
Christine Wiggin-Bergey
Tuition Rates for Individual Music Therapy:
Range from $34.50 for a thirty minute lesson; $51.75 for a forty five minute lesson; $69 for a sixty minute lesson. Additional documentation or travel charges may apply.
Path to One’s Maximum Wellness
Individuals (for information about individual music therapy, click here)
Music therapy and Wellness sessions are customized to each client’s strengths and challenges. People of all ages, walks of life, and music preferences can benefit from music’s ability to energize or relax, foster communication, encourage movement, and to boost self-confidence and self-esteem.
Groups
Music therapy and wellness classes can come to any agency or facility on a contractual basis. Groups are tailor-made to the specific needs of each organization and their clients.
Wellness Classes
Dimensions of Wellness Model and Music
a. Physical Wellness: Your body and brain on music
b. Social Wellness: Music is most powerful in a group
c. Intellectual Wellness: Expanding knowledge, skills and cognitive functions
d. Emotional Wellness: music can literally change the way we feel.
e. Spiritual Wellness: Seek meaning and purpose in life; appreciate life
Available Classes
These classes can be arranged for any agency or facility on a contractual basis.
Sing To Your Health!
Adults
If you love to sing and appreciate the health benefits of singing—deeper breathing, multi-sensory and memory stimulation, social interaction—join our “no pressure, just for fun” hour of song. We will review healthy singing practices then sing a bunch of standards as well as more recent favorites. You do not need to know how to read music, but should be able to sing on pitch. Limited on-site parking is available for the Prospect Avenue Class. Adults.
Loud and Proud with Parkinson’s
Adults
If you want to keep your voice loud and proud, this class is for you! The class combines facial and vocal exercises with singing your favorite songs to keep you sounding your best.
Drumming Up Me!
Grades 5-9
‘Tween’ girls will have the opportunity to explore and develop their creative side as they create their own unique music. In the process of organic music making, students will experience other fun and unique instruments. Girls will learn to become better listeners, better team players, develop problem solving skills and increase self-confidence as they experience the benefits of working cooperatively with others.
Music Therapy for Pre-School Language Development
Ages 2-4.5
This group is designed for children ages 2 to 4.5 who are showing delays in language comprehension, expressive language, and/or articulation development. Groups of 4 to 8 will be provided with music therapy experiences emphasizing vocal production, listening as well as instruction following, expressive communication, and social interaction.
Group Music Therapy for Teens
Ages 13-18
This group is designed for teens ages 13 to 18 who are looking for positive peer interactions. Groups of 4 to 8 will participate in group music experiences emphasizing listening and instruction following, effective communication, peer awareness, and social interaction. This class is beneficial for teens with attention disorders, Autism, Asperger's and other social disorders.
Sensory Music Therapy
Ages 5-12
This group sensory integration experience is designed for children aged 5 to 12 to help supplement their sensory diet. Groups of 4 to 8 will participate in music experiences that emphasize sensory input such as vibro-tactile, heavy work, relaxation, movement, and fine motor interventions. This group is beneficial for children with a sensory integration disorder/dysfunction and Autism.
Current Classes:
For details on current classes available, please click here.
Define "Music Threapy"
Please watch this inspiring short video that speaks of the power of Music Therapy, then buy your tickets for The 3rd Annual Music Therapy Benefit Concert on Sunday, October 14, 2012:
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