History

The seeds for the development of a World federation of Music Therapy were sown at the second World Congress of Music Therapy in Buenes Aires in 1976, when a group of American, European and South American music therapists resolved to start work to develop some unity and standards in the international arena of music therapy. The International Congress organised by Barbara Hesser in the USA in 1981 - Music and the Life of Man saw those seeds grow as an international group, including Barbara Hesser, resolved to develop some form of international organisation. The first major proposal for a World federation actually came from Jaques Jost and Henri Germany at the International Music Therapy Congress in France in March 1983.

At the 4th World Congress of Music Therapy in Paris later that year, a group of us representing many nations tried to find a way forward. There was a great deal of enthusiasm, but no clear idea of what such an organisation might do, and how it should be structured. Tony Wigram, Chairman of the Association of Professional Music Therapists in Great Britain proposed that those who had demonstrated the most motivation and interest should form a working group to define the aims and direction of a World Federation. The Internationally famous Argentinean Psychiatrist and music therapist, Dr. Rolando Benenzon was invited to chair this working group, which included Ruth Bright from Australia, Henri Germany from France, Heinrich Otto Moll from Germany and myself from the UK. Barbara Hesser had already begun to edit and publish the International Newsletter, and was invited to collaborate. In 1985 in Genoa at the 5th World Congress, this working group underwent a metamorphosis into a Committee, with the first President - Dr. Rolando Benenzon , Professor Giovanna Mutti from Italy as secretary, Barbara Hesser from the USA, Clementina Nastari from Brazil, and Amelia Oldfield from England.

In Rio de Janeiro, at the 6th World Congress another group took over, including Ruth Bright, the second President, Professor Cheryl Dileo, Dr. Leslie Bunt, Dr. Denise Erdonmez, Dr. Lia Rejane from Brazil, Patxi Del Campo from Spain, and Professor Joe Moreno. The Constitution, Bylaws and structure of Commissions was established in 1993 at the 7th World Congress in Spain, and Dr.Cheryl Dileo took over as the third President, on a Council that now included Dr. Tony Wigram from Denmark and Dr. Hans-Helmut Decker-Voigt from Germany, together with others elected in Brazil. The organisation was by now established with a Council, Commissions on Education, research, registration, clinical practice and government accreditation. Within the framework of the Constitution, membership criteria were established for both organisations and individuals, and these Commissions set about formulating model guidelines for ethics, registration and research. A newsletter had been published since 1990, and the World Federation took an active role in organising the Spanish Congress and the subsequent congress in Germany, with Hans Helmut Decker Voigt.

In 1996, at the 8th World Congress in Germany, Dr. Tony Wigram was elected as President, and a Council was elected including Diego Shapira and Dr. Gabriela Wagner from Argentina, Dr. Denise Erdonmez from Australia, Dr. Gianluigi di Franco from Italy, Xhang Hong Yi from China, and Patxi del Campo from Spain. Dr. Varga from Hungary and Professor Hinohara from Japan were invited to join the Council. The Commissions have been considerably expanded to include wise heads from many parts of the world, and regional co-ordinators were invited to participate in the dissemination of information.

At the 9th World Congress of Music Therapy in Washington D.C, in 1999, Dr. Denise Grocke was elected as President, and the new Council included Dr.Gabriela Wagner, Dr. Barbara Wheeler from the USA, Dr. Lia Rejane from Brazil, Jane Edwards from Australia, and Lisa Summer from the USA, subsequently replaced by Dr. Suzanne Hanser from the USA.

In 2002 at the 10th World Congress for Music Therapy in Oxford, Uk Dr. Suzanne Hanser from the USA was elected as President.The council members included: Dr. Cheryl Dileo from USA (WFMT Buisiness Manager); Dr. Jayne Standley, USA (Secretary/Treasurer); Nigel Hartley, UK (Commission on Clinical Practice); Dr. Cornelia Izenberg-Grzeda, Canada (Commission on Education, Training & Accreditation); Dr, Jane Edwards, Irland (Commission on Governmental Accreditation); Marcos Vidret, Argentinia (Commission on Publication); Dr. David Aldridge, Germany (Commission on Research and Ethics); Dr. Jörg Fachner, Germany (Website Coordinator), Susan Coull as Chair of the 11th World Congress in Brisbane, Australia).

In 2005, in Brisbane Australia, at the 11th World Congress of Music Therapy Dr. Gabriela Wagner, Argentinia was elected as President. The council members included: Dr. Cheryl Dileo, USA (WFMT Buisiness Manger); Dr. Petra Kern, USA/Canada (Secretary/Treasurer); Dr. Nobuko Saji (Commission on Clinical Practice); Dr. Sandi Curtis (Commission on Education, Training & Accreditation) Susan Coull, Australia (Commission on Governmental Accreditation); Mayra Hugo, Uruguay (Commission on Publication); Dr. David Aldridge, Germany (Commission on Research and Ethics); Loucanne Magill, USA (Global Crisis Intervention Commission); Dr. Jörg Fachner, Germany (Website Coordinator); Dr, Gabriela Wagner as Chair of the 12th World Congress 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentinia).

These people have willingly given their time and energy to advance the course of music therapy at an international level.

Some countries are well advanced in the development of a profession of music therapy, to the point where they have achieved political, medical and academic recognition and status.

The World Federation of Music Therapy

For additional info go to the following article
Grocke, Denise (2005). Reflections on World Congresses in Music Therapy. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy.
Retrieved January 27, 2006, from http://www.voices.no/columnist/colgrocke230505.html