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There is an increased need for accessible psychosocial interventions that support both people with dementia and their spouses. Recent research demonstrates the benefits of music therapy and caregiver-delivered music therapy for this population. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base on telehealth music therapy for people with dementia outside of a COVID-19 era when in-person services were available. This exploratory phenomenological study explores the experiences of two couples who attended a six-week telehealth music therapy programme via two detailed case examples. Online semi-structured interviews with each couple were conducted pre and post intervention and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three shared themes emerged from the data analysis including (1) social isolation and lack of confidence linked to dementia diagnosis is worsened in rural locations, (2) song singing and song writing enables us to revisit happy memories, and (3) telehealth delivery increases access due to geographical location. The findings are presented in a narrative case study format to provide rich detailed descriptions of the music therapy programme and to illuminate the experiences of the participants. In both examples, telehealth delivery expanded access to music therapy (which was otherwise unavailable) and stimulated reminiscence which in turn encouraged meaningful engagement between the couple. The delivery of music therapy via telehealth, alongside in-person delivery, has the potential to expand access to music therapy to those who may not have access to or are no longer able to attend community support services due to geographical location, increased cognitive decline or reduced mobility. The successful delivery of telehealth music therapy is dependent on several factors including digital literacy, access to appropriate technological devices, caregiver support and level of cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acquired communication impairments (ACIs) can significantly hinder the development and functioning of language and communication in children, impeding their social interactions and self-expression. Music therapy is emerging as a favourable practice in supporting children with ACIs; however, a deeper understanding of the clinical practices of music therapists with this population is required to advance service provision. Method: This study employed an online cross-sectional descriptive survey to investigate current approaches, clinical interventions, and outcome measures used by music therapists working with young children with ACIs to address language- and communication-oriented goals. Fifty-four music therapists across ten countries completed a 16-item online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: Respondents demonstrated a notable preference for humanistic and integrative approaches in their clinical practice. Among the diverse range of interventions employed by music therapists, song singing, vocal improvisation, and music and play emerged as the most effective techniques for supporting individuals with ACIs in achieving their communication goals. Additionally, collaborative endeavours with speech and language therapists were considered the most impactful approach to intervention. Respondents also sought alternative non-standardised evaluation methods, driven by a scarcity of suitable measures, to evaluate the effectiveness of their work. Discussion: There exists a high degree of heterogeneity in clinical practices amongst music therapists working with children with ACIs, reflecting diverse backgrounds and approaches. The absence of clear trends or dominant approaches emphasises the necessity for further research to establish evidence-based practices for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1981, Cambridge, Massachusetts, became the first school district in America to replace its neighborhood schools with a "controlled choice" assignment plan, which considered parental preference and racial balance. This article considers the history preceding this decision to explore how and why some Americans became enamored with choice-based assignment at the expense of the neighborhood school in the late twentieth century. It argues that Cambridge's problematic experience with open enrollment in the 1960s and 1970s created a vocal, consumer-oriented, and politically active class of parents who became accustomed to choice and, by the early 1980s, dependent on its benefits. Moreover, controlled choice proved especially attractive in this university community because Cambridge had a constituency of well-educated, middle-income parents who possessed the social capital to identify the best educational opportunities for their children, but lacked the economic capital to use real estate to gain access to their preferred schools.

This paper describes a community art therapy group for people living with chronic pain. Nine adults were offered 12 weekly group art therapy sessions that included art therapy activities such as guided imagery focusing on body scans followed by art responses and artistic expressions of the pain experience. This pilot group art therapy program is original in offering a short-term, focused art therapy group to support people living with chronic pain. This model of art therapy is replicable and may be of use to practitioners working with people living with chronic pain conditions.

Person-centered dementia care has been extensively integrated into music therapy practice; its central aim being to meet the core psychological needs of people with dementia, uphold personhood, and contribute to enhanced quality of life. Furthermore, Kitwood's model has been widely referenced as the theoretical framework underpinning multiple studies with people with dementia. However, few studies explore it in more concrete terms, expand on how it is implemented in practice, or describe how "positive person work" can be facilitated in music therapy with this population. This paper aims to address these lacunae, by presenting a comprehensive overview of Kitwood's model; identifying how it has informed music therapy practice, and highlighting current applications of "person-centered music therapy" in relation to meeting the core psychological needs of people with dementia. Furthermore, the authors present practical considerations on facilitating "positive person work" in music therapy, drawing on their experiences of providing music therapy in dementia care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late 1820s, African Americans' access to primary and religious instruction expanded significantly throughout the urban Northeast, yet barriers to their higher education remained firm. Segregated in public "African" schools, blacks were also barred from most private academies. Collegiate education similarly remained out of reach. In response, an alliance of black and white abolitionists launched a campaign to build a separate "African" college in 1831. Two ministers, one black, Peter Williams from New York, the other white, Simeon Jocelyn from New Haven, led the endeavor. After much consideration, they selected New Haven, Connecticut to house the new institution, believing that in "no place in the Union" is the "situation [of blacks] more comfortable, or the prejudices of a community weaker against them. Upon learning of the proposal, New Haven's mayor, Dennis Kimberly, assembled an opposition in less than three days. On September 8, 1831, he summoned a city meeting wherein over 700 white New Haveners swarmed city hall. After just a few hours of discussion, New Haven townsmen rejected the proposal by a vote of 700 to 4. Their swift, unified declaration ended the first movement to create a separate black college in America. In order to comprehend white New Haveners' resistance to black higher education, this article explores the college proposal of the two abolitionists in detail. (Contains 87 footnotes.)

A mixed-methods concurrent identical design was implemented to explore the following research question: what are the emotional, social, and practical impacts of group singing for women from a regeneration area? Members of an all-female community choir based in an area of disadvantage participated in a focus group and survey. The most significant quantitative finding was an increase in the overall perceived level of health, which seemed linked to qualitative themes of 'positive emotions', 'redefining and reclaiming identity', 'choir as an extended family' and 'community interaction and impact'. Three themes arose from qualitative data: social impact, health and well-being aspects, and practical issues. Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings identified an overarching concept that 'choir participation may increase emotional and social health and well-being'. Group singing was found beneficial, with a potential to serve as a resource in cultivating resilience in individuals living in areas of disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International research evidence on the physical, cognitive and social benefits of group singing for older people is growing rapidly. However, singing interventions are inconsistently reported, with details of intervention development, musical content and structure often omitted, impeding replicability and synthesis. This paper poses two research questions: (a) What specific guidelines for singing groups can the research team recommend for older people aged over 65 living in the community who have health and well-being concerns? (b) What recommendations can the research team make for singing group facilitators, building on two pilot studies and over 20 years of experience running singing groups? A detailed three-stage process of intervention development and evaluation was undertaken, following Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance. The findings of each stage of intervention development and the resultant tested intervention, which aims to meet the physical and psychological health and well-being needs of older people, are presented. Key features of the final intervention include flexible, person-centred musical content; opportunities for social interaction; and appropriate resources, such as large print songbooks. The results of the pilot studies indicate the capacity of group singing to benefit interpersonal relationships and social connection among older people, contributing to increased well-being. This intervention aims to contribute to the possibility of replicable large-scale studies of the impact of singing for health groups on the health and well-being of older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence of the social, physical and cognitive benefits of group-singing for people living with dementia and their family carers. However, COVID-19 has necessitated the suspension of in-person group-singing globally. This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on dementia-inclusive singing groups and choirs in Ireland, and their facilitators' responses. It seeks to contribute to the limited literature on online group-singing and music telehealth for people living with dementia and family carers. It strives to provide facilitators with practical information to adapt their programmes for online delivery and continue to support the health and well-being of these populations. This study adopted a qualitative methodological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with facilitators of dementia-inclusive singing groups or choirs in Ireland (n = 12). Four main themes were generated inductively from the data using Thematic Analysis: accessibility of online delivery; online vs in-person delivery; importance of social connection; adaptability and resilience. This study provides a mixed picture of opportunities and challenges arising from online music programmes. Initial evidence indicates the ability of facilitators to successfully deliver online music programmes to a proportion of people living with dementia and family carers and the capacity of members of these populations to engage with them. The findings support the development of sustainable online groups and resources to increase the accessibility of dementia-inclusive singing groups and support community-dwelling people with dementia living in rural and remote areas or with health or mobility challenges. However, challenges of digital inclusion exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of people living with dementia are cared for by their families. Family carers play a vital role in upholding the formal care system. Caring for a family member with dementia can be fulfilling. However, this role can have a considerable negative impact on family carers' mental and physical health and quality of life. Several empirical research studies have recently been conducted that explore the potential benefits of music interventions for family carers of people living with dementia. Singing has been the primary musical medium employed. This article presents the first review of this literature to date. It investigates the impact of music interventions on the health and well-being of family carers of people living with dementia, and how they experience and perceive these interventions. Whittemore and Knafl's five-stage integrative review framework was utilized: (i) problem identification; (ii) literature search; (iii) data evaluation; (iv) data analysis and synthesis; and (v) presentation of the findings. A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis and synthesis resulted in three overarching themes: impact on family carers, carer perceptions of music interventions and null quantitative findings in small studies. The review found that singing and music interventions may improve family carers' social and emotional well-being, enhance their ability to cope and care and ameliorate the caring relationship, contributing to experiences of flourishing. However, it highlighted that this area is under-researched and pointed to the need for larger, more rigorous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adam Rothman, Slave Country: American Expansion and the Origins of the Deep South. Cambridge and London: Harvard University Press, 2005. Pp. 296. Cloth $35.00. In his 1972 presidential address to [...]

Dementia can negatively impact the well-being of people living with dementia and their family carers. Research suggests that music psychosocial interventions are effective, safe alternatives to pharmacological interventions for the promotion of well-being. However, evidence is limited, and research gaps remain. This study explores how a community-based group singing intervention impacts the well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their family carers. A phenomenological methodological approach was adopted. Participants engaged in a six-week group singing intervention facilitated by a music therapist in a community arts centre. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 7). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed four superordinate themes: (1) Social Connection; (2) Happiness and Rejuvenation; (3) Reconnection with the Self; and (4) Supporting the Carer–Cared-for Relationship. Evidence of multidimensional enhancement of well-being, absence of adverse effects, and accessibility of this musical medium support the increased provision of community-based singing groups for these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eric Burin, Slavery and the Peculiar Solution: A History of the American Colonization Society. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2005. Pp. 288. Cloth $59.95. In 1832 abolitionist editor William Lloyd [...]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses various topics within the issue, including singing and health in Ireland, person-centred care, music therapy, and ethnomusicology.

This paper presents innovative practice in the area of interdisciplinary collaboration between pastoral care and music therapy professionals to meet the spiritual needs of people with dementia in a hospital environment. Our qualitative research identified the following themes to guide future endeavours in this area: Music has the capacity to facilitate spiritual expression; music therapy contributes to validating the individuality of the person with dementia; collaborative work between music therapy and pastoral care is worthy of further exploration. This study is one of few to address the potential for combining pastoral care and music therapy in the care of people with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affective reactions frequently reported by adolescents who stutter include embarrassment, frustration, and feelings of anxiety about further stuttering. It is possible that music therapy may enhance stuttering treatment outcomes; however, little is known about how individuals who stutter, and therapists working with this group, view such therapy. The purpose of this study was to explore individuals who stutter and therapist experiences with, and perceptions of, music and music therapy for stuttering. This work is part of a larger mixed-methods project to explore the effectiveness and potential benefit of music therapy with adolescents who stutter. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six clinicians and three individuals who stutter. Interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Four themes emerged from participants' accounts: (a) the experience of living with stuttering, (b) the importance of music in everyday life, (c) the application of music therapy in stuttering, and (d) recommendations for music therapy in the continuum of support services for individuals who stutter. Participants in this study perceived music and music therapy to benefit individuals who experience stuttering, particularly within the context of mental health. There is agreement that song writing, improvisation and song singing are most useful when working with adolescents who experience stuttering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]