Annual Music Therapy Conference

Each year Key Changes runs a conference that is open to all music therapists, music therapy students, and those who wish to learn more about music therapy, either as a future career or for accessing on behalf of potential therapy recipients.

At the June '22 monthly meeting of the Key Changes therapy team, we'd set ourselves the task of coming up with a focus for this year’s conference. We were deep in thought when one of the team broke the shocking news that Roehampton University was considering axing the Masters course, along with other arts therapy courses. Roehampton – where so many of us trained, our Rock, our Foundation.

So…Just when we thought it was safe- our Conference ’22 theme, was born.

This is a current feeling through so many walks of life. We seem to be teetering on the edge.

This year, we are thrilled to be hearing from music therapists: Kirsty Ormston, Jo Humphreys, Rebecca Sayers & Elizabeth Coombes, and Minna Harman, on topics including working as a music therapist in:

neonatal terminal care, homelessness, biodiversity, a PMLD bereavement group.

Leigh Warren-Thomas will facilitate a discussion forum on how we survive as therapists, and there will be opportunities to explore the day’s concepts topics through group musical improvisation.

Our Key Note presentation: Being with Change, will be from Anna Seymour, Professor of Dramatherapy.

Running order: 

Arrival time: between 9.45 & 10am

TEA / COFFEE

Please visit the book table, where you can purchase / order:

Intercultural music therapy consultation - Lisa Margetts, author

10.00 Welcome! Jim Squire, Chair of Key Changes, and Key Changes therapists.

10.05  The song is ended, but the melody lingers on (Irving Berlin) - the evolution of a group set up for a bereaved class. Minna Harman

10.35 Some sing to remember, some sing to forget: Music therapy with people experiencing homelessness in Swansea during the pandemic Jo Humphreys

11.15 TEA / COFFEE

11.25 George’s Lullaby: A case study of the use of Music Therapy to support parents and their infant on a palliative pathway Kirsty Ormston

12.05 Practical session – exploring our thinking through improvisation.

12.45  LUNCH BREAK – tea / coffee available, and live music from TANT

Please visit the book table, where you can purchase / order:

Intercultural music therapy consultation - Lisa Margetts, author

13.30 Discussion forum: But what about me?  led by Leigh Warren-Thomas

14.20 Music Therapy and Biodiversity: adapting practice and thinking around climate emergency

Dr. Elizabeth Coombes & Rebecca Sayers

15.00 TEA / COFFEE

15.10 KEY NOTE:  Being with Change

Anna Seymour - Professor of Dramatherapy

16.10 Closing play… ending by 16.30

Tea / coffee will be provided. Please bring your own lunch.

Bring your instrument if you wish, for the practical session.

Programmes will be provided on the day, including presentation summaries and presenter biogs. 

For lifts from and to Winchester station, please specify when you register.