Music Therapy
Music Therapy is the planned use of music-based interventions to assist clients in achieving non-musical therapeutic goals. It is an allied health profession and can be effective for clients with a range of needs – social, emotional, motor, sensory and cognitive.
New England Conservatorium’s Music Therapy Program was established in 2011 and is unique in Armidale and the New England area.
The Music Therapy Program provides individual and group music therapy sessions for children and adults with a range of needs in the following programs:
- Music Therapy Sessions (individual and group)
- Side-by-Side Choir at Armidale Secondary College Support Unit
- Ukulele Ensembles in aged care facilities
- Specially tailored classes in aged care facilities
NECOM presents individual and group music therapy programs for children and adults with disabilities, brain injury, age-related diseases. It also includes residential support work – planned, implemented and evaluated individual and group music therapy programs for older adults with special needs – and working with children on the Autism Spectrum to improve communication, social skills, gross and fine motor skills and sensory integration.
Assisted Music Lessons
Learning an instrument for neurodiverse children and adults requires a teacher with an understanding of the specific needs of the client. Our registered music therapist is highly qualified and has extensive experience working with clients of all ages with a range of disabilities.
NECOM provides individual ‘Assisted Music Lessons’ for neurodiverse children and adults in the following instruments:
- Piano
- Guitar
- Percussion
An initial consultation is recommended to determine the client’s readiness for learning an instrument.
All clients are provided with:
- An initial assessment that will include a report and an individually designed music therapy program
- 9-week block of sessions each term (4 terms each year)
- Evaluation – an evaluation of whether goals have been met and recommendations for future input
Many of our clients now access music therapy at NECOM using their NDIS funding.
As NECOM works towards meeting the goals in our Accessibility Action Plan, we hope to make improvements to the accessibility of a range of NECOM programs and raise awareness of the options available at NECOM for people with disability.
Fees:
- 30 minute individual session – $5621 per term
- 45 minute individual session – $883 per term
- 45 minutes shared (group) session – $527 per term