Incorporating Music Therapy as Part of Music Education in Schools

Aryan’s Story

?“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Mrs. Chatterjee a renowned Dhrupad exponent and a music teacher with over two decades of experience, shared her story. Her voice filled with a blend of nostalgia and concern. “It was a Wednesday afternoon, and I was preparing the students for an upcoming music competition. As usual, the rehearsal room was buzzing with excitement and a bit of chaos. But amidst all that energy, one student stood out – Aryan, sitting in the corner, his head buried in his knees.”

?“I decided to have a little chat with him,” Mrs. Chatterjee continued. “‘Is everything okay, Aryan?’ I asked. He shrugged and muttered, ‘It’s nothing, ma’am.’ But I could see the signs – the kind I had come to recognize in many students over the years. It wasn’t just exhaustion from practice. It was something deeper.”

?As she spoke, Mrs. Chatterjee’s expression grew more earnest. “After some coaxing, Aryan finally opened up. ‘I feel like I’m not good enough,’ he confessed. ‘There’s just too much pressure – from school, parents, everyone. I’m always worried about failing.’”

?Mrs. Chatterjee sighed, her tone softening. “That’s when it hit me – this was not just about music, or competitions. It was about the pressure we unknowingly place on children to always perform, to be perfect. It was time to do something different.”

?Mrs. Chatterjee’s story of Aryan reflects a challenge faced by many students today. The expectations to excel, to constantly perform at their best, can sometimes overwhelm young minds. In traditional music education, the focus often remains on performance, skill-building, and preparation for events. However, the therapeutic potential of music – its ability to heal, relax, and nurture emotional well-being – is often overlooked.

Reflections on Music Teaching and Music Healing/Therapy

"You know what Shambhavi?" Mrs. Chatterjee, begins. "The kids walk into my class, some with excitement, but many with tired faces. The school day is packed with academic pressure, and music has become just another subject. We prepare songs for the annual function, Independence Day, or some cultural festivity. The same routine every year—practice, rehearse, perform. But is this really all that music has to offer?"

The goal is often to prepare students for examinations, competitions, or performances, where precision and adherence to musical standards are emphasized. In contrast, music healing/therapy prioritizes the emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of individuals. It uses music not as a subject to be learned, but as a therapeutic tool to address various mental health issues, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and facilitate emotional expression. In music therapy, the emphasis is on the experience of music itself, allowing participants to explore sounds, engage with melodies, and use rhythm to connect with their inner emotions, rather than aiming for perfection in performance. This shift from “doing music right” to “feeling music deeply” is what differentiates traditional music education from the holistic approach of music healing.

Here’s the integration process in Schools:

?1.?? Conduct Bi-Monthly Training for Music Teachers

?Organize training sessions twice a month for music teachers to learn therapeutic music techniques. Focus on practical skills such as Raga therapy, rhythmic breathing, and mindfulness exercises for classroom use. Provide guidance on how to address specific student challenges like stress relief, attention, and emotional regulation.

?2.?? Introduce Daily Therapeutic Music Sessions

?Start each day with a 25-minute calming session called "Melody Mornings," including Raga-based listening, meditation, and breathwork to enhance focus. Conduct rhythmic and stimulating music sessions after lunch, known as "Beat Boost," to re-energize students and improve cognitive function. Conclude the day with "Tune Time," featuring fun musical activities and games that promote relaxation and emotional expression.

?3.?? Tailor Music Therapy to Address Specific Student Needs

?Design music therapy sessions to target common student issues like lack of focus, cognitive difficulties, and emotional resilience. Use customized techniques, such as Raga meditation, Specific funny Sanskrit Syllables for better speech, rhythmic exercises, and musical storytelling, to improve memory, attention, and self-expression.

?4.?? Encourage Spiritual Music Practices and Mindfulness

?Include daily spiritual music training for 20 minutes with breathwork, box breathing, and chanting Sanskrit syllables to calm the mind. Teach mindfulness techniques using music to promote clarity and inner peace.

5.?? Incorporate 5-day ‘Music-Delve’ Activity

?Before they leave the school (similar to the zero period we had in our time), we should initiate 25-minute sessions of musical activities scheduled weekly to foster self-expression and creativity. Suggested activities could include:

• Monday: Music journaling
• Tuesday: Enacting using shamanic drums
• Wednesday: Musical memory games
• Thursday: Rhythmic discussions with peers
• Friday: Dance/Bhangra

?6.?? Regularly Monitor and Adapt the Program

Gather feedback from students and teachers to assess the impact of the music therapy sessions. Adjust the activities and techniques based on the students' responses and evolving needs to ensure continuous improvement.?

Why this Integration is Important ?

According to recent studies, children and adolescents are increasingly experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use. These issues are exacerbated by academic pressure, social expectations, and changing family dynamics. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified these problems, leading to increased social isolation, stress, and uncertainty. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers are struggling to address the growing mental health crisis, which affects not only academic performance but also the overall well-being of young individuals. Early intervention, emotional support, and awareness of mental health issues are critical in addressing this alarming trend.

A recent Scientific Reports journal study published in News Medical.Net evaluates, "Mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression, have become a serious point of concern in university life. Music education was identified as a potential intervention that could help alleviate these problems." Research says music is processed in the limbic system of the brain after passing through the auditory cortex, resulting in an emotional reaction.

?Conclusion

?It's time for the education system and schools to rethink their priorities and create a more humane environment for students. With mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicides on the rise, the current focus on grades, competition, and external validation is failing our youth. The pressure to be the best, coupled with materialism, device addiction, and a lack of genuine communication, is leading students down a path of emotional and mental decline. Instead of treating education as a business, schools must prioritize the well-being of their students, fostering an atmosphere where they can grow as whole individuals, not just test scores. Now is the moment to act—before the situation worsens—by embracing holistic approaches that truly support students' mental and emotional health.

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