Front and center stage: Participants performing songs created during music therapy

Abstract

This study sought to understand what impact and role the performance of self-composed songs played in the therapeutic songwriting process for music therapy participants across their lifespan. Forty-five music therapy clinicians and researchers with established expertise in therapeutic songwriting were interviewed to gain their perspectives on a range of issues related to songwriting as a music therapy method. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the interview transcripts and led to the construction of three main themes: performance affects music therapy participants' wellbeing; performance impacts on the relationship between participants and the audience; and performance preparation ..