October/November 2008
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REFLECTIONS ON MY MHTP INTERNSHIP
By Linda M. Grobman
Mr. D, an 87-year-old man with congestive heart failure, was the first person I played for during my MHTP internship. The nurses thought he would like to hear some music and that it would bring him comfort.
Mr. D greeted me with a smile. Reclining on his bed, he took me by surprise when he told me that he wished he could be at the opera that afternoon. "Oh?" I asked. "Why, yes," he replied. "Today is Sunday, isn't it?"
It was Tuesday, and there was no opera in town. But there was a flutist who could play classical music for Mr. D, and that is what I did for the next 20 minutes. While I played, he leaned back and closed his eyes peacefully. After each piece, he smiled and asked who the composer was. As I left, he thanked me. Mr. D was extremely pleasant and genuinely appreciated the live flute music that he heard that day.
Over the next two weeks, I played for different residents each time I went to the nursing home. One day, during a discussion with my supervisor about playing for some residents on a more regular basis, I said that I would like to play for Mr. D again.
"Oh... he passed," she informed me. "Oh," I answered, with a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. "You just never know," she added.
You just never know. This really brought home to me that each time we play for someone, it makes a difference. It could be the last opportunity to bring music into that person's life.
Later, I read Mr. D's obituary in the newspaper. "He had a life-long passion for the opera and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild," it said.
You just never know. In MHTP, we learn to be "in the moment" with people for whom we play - and to be open to whatever happens - many times not knowing where that moment will lead. Each moment spent in a therapeutic music session has the potential to bring a profound sense of meaning, beauty and comfort to another person, no matter what stage of life or circumstance.
I was honored to have spent a few quiet moments with Mr. D, sharing the classical music that he so loved in what was to be one of his final days. I will remember him fondly as the first person I played for in my MHTP internship.
Linda M. Grobman, LSW, MSW, B.M. (Music Therapy), is an MHTP student interning at a nursing home and hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She expects to complete her internship in October 2008. When not playing the flute for patients or nursing home residents, she edits and publishes "The New Social Worker" magazine.
If you have a "Day in the Life of a CMP" story to share or if your activities as a CMP have been featured in a recent newspaper, radio, TV or online story, please submit your information to MHTP Newsletter Editor Rebecca Heller at healthwriter@cox.net. Queries regarding submitting newsletter stories (300 to 500 words suggested) are also welcomed.
THE PERFECT GIFT
Is there someone in your life who is hard to buy for and always says, "Oh, don't get me anything for (fill in the blank: my birthday, Christmas, our anniversary, etc.)?" Consider giving a donation to MHTP in their honor. Contributions to MHTP are tax-deductible, as allowed by law. Donations in memory of the passing of a friend or loved one are especially fitting tributes to their life and our mission. For details, contact Melinda Gardiner at mhtp@mhtp.org.
WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS
MHTP would like to update its photo inventory of CMPs playing at the bedside. These photos will be used primarily for MHTP ads and the newsletter. There are a few requirements you need to be mindful of, should you wish to submit photos (and we hope you will). The most important of these is obtaining all of the necessary permissions to take and use the photos.
MHTP provides an official "Photography and Publicity Consent, Release and Submission Form," which you can access on the MHTP website or by clicking here. All of the details that you need to know to take and submit photos to MHTP can be found on page two of the form.
CLARIFYING THE CMP'S SCOPE OF PRACTICE
CMPs are often asked about the scope of their work - the profession's scope of practice. MHTP addresses scope of practice in modules one, four and five of its curriculum. Recently, the MHTP board of directors completed and approved a detailed scope of practice document, which clearly describes what CMPs are trained to do, and what they are not empowered to do by their training.
All CMPs and students should be familiar with the MHTP Scope of Practice, as well as the MHTP Code of Ethics. To read the MHTP Scope of Practice, please click here.
USING THE MHTP LOGO
Many students and graduates of the MHTP program are proud of their affiliation with the organization. To help express their pride and association, MHTP offers a variety of items with the MHTP logo on it. These include pins, patches, bumper stickers and tote bags.
What many students and graduates may not realize, however, is that the MHTP logo belongs to the organization and is part of its proprietary brand. It is to be used solely by MHTP and those conducting the organization's official business. These include the executive director, board members, area coordinators, MHTP teachers, advisors and conference coordinators.
It is against copyright law for others to duplicate and insert the MHTP logo (including conference logos) on materials of their own creation. As an illustration of how this applies, consider a related example: Graduating from a college or university doesn't entitle you to use the college or university logo on your business card, promotional brochures, seminar flyers or website. It is similarly inappropriate to use the MHTP logo in this way on materials of your own creation.
You can easily promote your MHTP affiliation without violating the copyright law. MHTP offers graduates a tri-fold brochure, which it will personalize with your contact information. Also, you can tell people in words about the MHTP program and your CMP certification on your website or on your printed materials. In fact, we greatly appreciate it and encourage you to do so. Consider adding a link to the MHTP website from your website, and including the MHTP website address (www.mhtp.org) on your printed materials.
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Recent Graduates / Training Sites |
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Northeast |
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Cheryl Martine - harp |
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Mid-Atlantic |
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Elizabeth Kilgus - harp, piano, voice |
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Southeast |
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Karen Johnson - harp |
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Northwest |
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Val Turner - harp |
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West |
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Janice Freeman-Bell - piano, guitar, voice |
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
A Direct Experience of The Yoga of the Voice™
The Path of Spiritual Entrainment through Sound
Presented by Silvia Nakkach
Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
St. Bridget's Church,
Rt. 22, Copake Falls (In New York's Hudson Valley and the foothills of the
Berkshire Mountains)
5 MHTP CEUs
Registration: $75
Contact Melinda Gardiner at harp@taconic.net
for a registration form.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FLORIDA STUDENTS
The first 10 Florida students who apply and are accepted for MHTP's new cycle of classes scheduled in Sarasota, Florida will receive a $200 tuition reduction for module one. The scholarships are being funded by MHTP's remaining Carpenter Grant funds. The Sarasota classes will take place at TideWell Hospice, which is actively sponsoring the MHTP training and providing local students with internship opportunities. For more information, contact Robin Hill at robinhilll@hotmail.com.
2008-2009 CLASS SCHEDULE
| MODULE ONE (Repertoire Development/Injury Prevention) |
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January 24-25 |
Sarasota, FL |
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February 7-8 |
Dallas, TX |
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February 21-22 |
Sacramento, CA |
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March 14-15 |
Duluth, MN |
| MODULE TWO (Music as a Language) |
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March 21-22 |
Dallas, TX |
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March 28-29 |
Sarasota, FL |
| MODULE THREE (Philosophies of Healing/How Music Heals) |
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November 1-2 |
Baltimore, MD |
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December 6-7 |
Indianapolis, IN |
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February 21-22 |
Federal Way, WA (Seattle Area) |
| MODULE FOUR (Etiquette and Internship/Profession of CMP) |
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November 1-2 |
Manchester, NH |
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January 24-25 |
Baltimore, MD |
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March 21-22 |
Indianapolis, IN |
| MODULE FIVE (Alterations in Health/Care of the Dying/Clinical Practicum) |
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| October 17-19 | Sacramento, CA |
| November 7-8 | Duluth, MN |
| January 16-18 | Manchester, NH |
| January 23-25 |
Boise, ID |
