Music Therapy in Singapore
Brief update of Music Therapy in Singapore
http://singaporemusictherapy.wordpress.com/music-therapy-in-singapore
Music therapy is one of the lesser known professions in Singapore (Leong, September 24, 2002). The earliest documented music therapy session here took place in 1984 (Cheng, 1989). The handful of music therapists working in Singapore were trained in Western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. (Pang, 1993; Ruyters, personal communication, March 13, 2005). Thus, as local practitioners, they may become aware of and begin to examine the cultural applicability of their Western training to the local context. There is limited literature written from the Singaporean perspective in the mental health profession at large. This is even more so for the already small music therapy scene.
Music therapy practice in Singapore has traditionally been largely confined to the special education setting (Cheng, 1989; Ruyters-Lim, 1997). National Council of Social Service (NCSS) supported music therapy positions in the six special schools from 2004 to 2006 (NCSS Human Resource, personal communication, January 31, 2005), although due the availability of trained professionals, there were difficulties filling all available positions at any time. NCSS had given out music therapy scholarships in the past. May Goh-Clulee was one of the scholars. The most recent recipient of this VCF scholarship was Loi Wei Ming (2006).
Music therapy was identified in a report titled, “Social Services in Singapore” (Wong, 1991), to provide services to the disabled. While not specifically stated, the goal of music therapy appeared to be educative, so as to be a viable “alternate work force in many sectors where there is a shortage of labour [sic]” (Wong, 1991, p. 29). Another goal is the integration of individuals with special needs into mainstream society so as to provide a head start for them. The use of music therapy with special needs children seems to be operating mainly within the behavioral model, having specifically targeted goals such as skill acquisition and improved social functioning (Ruyters-Lim, 1997). However to date, music therapy is yet to be recognized as one of the core therapy services by NCSS, unlike occupational therapy, speech-language therapy and physiotherapy.
An important milestone for the local music therapy scene was the formation of the Association for Music Therapy (Singapore) (AMTS) in September 2007. Although our professional membership base continues to expand, there are currently only twelve locally-based music therapists, all of whom are professional members of AMTS. These include both Singaporeans as well as professionals from Australia and New Zealand. Currently, five music therapists, Loi Wei Ming, Jenny Lee (2008-2010), Chen Hsuehlien, Clara Chong, David Khlentzos (from Australia) (2009-2010), Jacqueline Chow (from Hong Kong) and Germaine Yong serve the following Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) respectively: Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive School, Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School, Asian Welfare Women’s Association School, St. Andrew’s Autism Centre, Moral Eipic and Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH). In addition, Dr. Patsy Tan serves hearing impaired children and various other client populations at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). She was joined by Charissa Tan (2010-2011), then in late 2011 by Hong Konger Christal Chiang. Ng Wang Feng serves/d at-risk youth at Beyond Social Services (2005-2011), the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) and also lectures at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Melanie Kwan serves general medical, pain, dementia, rehabilitation, cancer and hospice patients at KKH, the former Alexandra Hospital now KTPH, and Dover Park Hospice. She was joined by Ashley Spears at KKH in 2010.
Getting training in Singapore to become a qualified music therapist may soon be a reality, though for now, there are many yet to be finalized details. The professionals are working hard to make this happen in the near future. Please watch this space as we will update as soon as progress is confirmed.
Other introductory courses have been offered at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), NIE, and less frequently through LASALLE College of the Arts as part of the Professional Development Programme. These offer students/participants a mere taste of what music therapy may offer as a career but is not full-fledged educational or clinical training.
To cite this page: Ng, W.F. (March 2011). Music therapy in Singapore [online]. Singapore’s very own Music Therapists – Singapore Music Therapy. Retrieved date, year, from http://singaporemusictherapy.wordpress.com/music-therapy-in-singapore
References
Cheng, L. S. C. (1989). Music therapy in action: A case study of a brain-damaged teenager. Singapore Journal of Education, 10, 2, 77-85.
Leong, P. Y. (Sept 24, 2002). Tune in! [online]. ST Recruit Online. Retrieved Mar 1, 2005, from http://www.asiaonecareers.com/st_recruit/r20020924.html
Pang, K. P. (1993). Music therapy in Hong Kong. In C. Dileo Maranto, (Ed.), Music therapy: International perspectives (pp. 253-261). Pipersville, PA: Jeffrey Books.
Ruyters-Lim, A. (1997). Music therapy. In K. Lyen, E. H. Lee & J. S. Y. Tham-Toh, (Eds.), Rainbow dreams: How to help your child with developmental delay (pp. 266-284). Singapore: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd.
Singapore General Hospital. (n.d.). Arts for health: Inspiring healing experiences [online]. Retrieved June 26, 2010, from http://www.sgh.com.sg/about-us/Arts-for-Health/Our-Programmes/Pages/music-therapy.aspx
Wong, J. (1991). Service directions for voluntary welfare organisations serving the disabled. In M. T. Yap (Ed.), Social services: The next lap (pp. 22-59). Singapore: Times Academic Press & Institute of Policy Studies.
2 Comments
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nancy yeo said,
November 29, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Hi, i am currently interested in pursuing course in music therapy, yet the search for an instituition offering it had not been successful. Please advice, thanks…… music therapy has its place in alternative treatment for patients of different ailments and therefore should be given its due recognition.nancy
singaporemusictherapy said,
December 3, 2007 at 12:58 am
Hi Nancy,
Presently, there is no local training programmes for Music Therapy, only introductory level electives at NAFA and foundational course at LaSalle. You will need to go abroad for training. For US-training programmes, check the website of American Music Therapy Association (one of our links). For UK programmes, check the website of the Association for Professional Music Therapists (also linked). peace, WF