"Music hath charms to sooth the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." (The Mourning Bride, 1697) - William Congreve

Music has long been recognized to have a positive, healing effect with people. From Greek mythology to the Bible, stories of music being used as a way to ease people’s suffering can be found.

The modern use of music therapy can be traced back to World War I. As veterans returned home from war, their bodies injured and their spirits low, many spent long periods of time in hospitals. Musicians, both amateur and professional, began visiting these veterans’ hospitals and performing for the patients. Doctors and nurses soon began to notice positive changes in the patients who received these music visits, and requested that the hospital hire musicians. However, it soon became evident that the musicians would need some kind of training before they entered the medical facility.

In 1944, the first music therapy degree program in the world was established at Michigan State University. Other colleges followed, and in 1950, the first professional organization for music therapists, the National Association for Music Therapy (NAMT), was founded. In 1971, a second professional organization, the American Association for Music Therapy (AAMT), was chartered.

In 1998, the two professional organizations joined forces and became the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), which now has over 5,000 music therapists, corporate members and related associations worldwide included in its membership ranks. The mission of the American Music Therapy Association is to “advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.” (AMTA, 2009)

Additionally, in 1985, the World Federation of Music Therapy, Incorporated (WFMT) was established at the 5th World Congress of Music Therapy in Genoa, Italy. WFMT is the only international organization dedicated to the development and promotion of music therapy world wide.

In 1986, the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) became fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). It is the only organization to certify music therapists to practice music therapy nationally. Over 4,000 music therapists have attained the MT-BC credential, and now participate in a program of recertification designed to maintain or increase initial competence in the profession of music therapy.

Links of Interest:
AMTA: http://www.musictherapy.org/index.html
CBMT: http://www.cbmt.org/
WFMT: http://www.musictherapyworld.de/modules/wfmt/w_index1.htm