Passion

This essay has been on my mind a lot. I wrote it as part of my application for the Music Therapy Program here at Utah State. I have read over it a few times, and every time, it reassures me why I am here and what I am working so hard for. I just thought that I would share it with you and let you have a little glimpse into... my soul! Ha Ha!

" USU Music Therapy 2012 Application

                Music Therapy is the clinical practice of using music to accomplish non-musical goals.  A qualified music therapist can work with clients who have needs that are not music related such as pitch, but more as emotional, physical, social, and intellectual needs or goals. These goals are addressed by integrating music into therapeutic sessions and are very therapist and client oriented. Music therapy is a growing profession that began in the year 1950. Though the profession of music therapy did not begin until then, it was not then that music was discovered to be therapeutic. Articles date back as early as 1789, such as an unsigned article entitled “Music Physically Considered”.  Music therapy is a research, practice, and evidence- based profession. Numerous studies have been made and continue to be made to support and continually develop its structure and integration of music and therapy.

            Music, the one thing I understand even when it doesn’t make sense. I have found that music simply moves you, whether it is through bold lyrics or swimming harmonies. It is what gets me though the day and helps me realize my blessings in life. It is what inspires my ideas, dreams to fulfill, and characteristics to carry. Music is my mind’s instrument. My hardest days are when I neglect to add a melodic tune to the rhythm of my thoughts. Music is what moves my blood through my veins; it is what keeps me going. I have finally found a way provided for me to integrate my passion for music into a service for others. I love working with people and benefiting their lives in some way. If I can do something I love such as music to change the life or simply move the soul of another person would satisfy me and allow me success in my life.

“There are a few things that success is not,

Success is not fame, money or power.
Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally fly out of the door.
Success is getting to work with the people you love.
Success is finding a way of connecting and binding them together.
Success is connecting with the world.
Success is falling asleep knowing you did the best you could.
Success is joy, friendship and freedom.
Success is love.”

 (Fame, 2009)

Music is a way to build connection between people. As a music therapist, I will be able to connect with my clients and implement treatment through music. Music affects and is incorporated in every portion of the human brain. Miracles can occur through the waves of music.  Music is an international language, no matter what your spoken language is. It can be used to communicate through various faiths, standards, and beliefs. It is an art that has preserved history, knowledge, and culture. I have a passion for this art and I want to incorporate it into my future and use it to change negative to positive, harmful to helpful, and open eyes and hearts from closed to open.

            As a teenager, I was able to work a lot with adults in the geriatrics field. I completed CNA training in high school that allowed me to have hands-on clinical experience with the residents of a care center. I was able to interact with these people for a few hours every day for about a month. Soon thereafter, I was called as a pianist for the church services that were held every other Sunday at the same facility. I was able to play hymns that moved these patients of many faiths to attend the service, simply to hear music play. At the beginning, numbers of attendees was sparse. But each week as the hymns rang through the halls, more came to attend to see where it was coming from and began to look forward to the services. The days these residents experience are quiet and somewhat boring; breakfast, medication, nap, lunch, nap, medication, shower, and bed.  They love to listen to anyone who comes to play or sing for them; it serves as a spark to their day or even week. I loved to see the sparkle in their eyes as they watched me play, no matter what it was or if I had a mistake or two. I became friends with these residents and still visit the facility every chance I get when I am at home where the care center is.

            When I was a little girl, I was given my grandmother’s upright piano. It was then that I decided to begin learning music; it was then that I fell in love and began to develop my passion. Today, I have furthered my knowledge of music to new heights. I still have plenty of room to flourish and do all I can to continue learning. I have skills vocally as well as on the piano and I am beginning to develop skills on the guitar. But more importantly, I have genuine characteristics that I can use in a career of music therapy as well. I have compassion for other people; I care about their feelings, experiences, and well-being. I feel that in my life I have served as a good daughter, sister, student, employee, and most importantly a friend in these titles."