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Undergraduate Music Students’ Perspectives on how their Training Experiences have Affected their Relationship to Music and Potential Implications for Music Therapy

Title:

Undergraduate Music Students’ Perspectives on how their Training Experiences have Affected their Relationship to Music and Potential Implications for Music Therapy

Rachiele, Isabella ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5960-0999 (2025) Undergraduate Music Students’ Perspectives on how their Training Experiences have Affected their Relationship to Music and Potential Implications for Music Therapy. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

Literature indicates that many undergraduate university students face challenges that may have significant impacts on their mental health and well-being. Furthermore, research indicates that undergraduate music students face unique challenges specific to their field of study. As an undergraduate music performance student, the researcher experienced some of these challenges, and as a music therapist, she felt that music therapy held potential to help. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: to understand undergraduate music students’ perceptions on how their university music training experiences have changed their relationships with music, and to explore how music therapy could potentially serve as a personal resource for undergraduate music students, specifically with regard to fostering and/or maintaining a constructive relationship with music. Three undergraduate music students participated in individual qualitative interviews. A narrative summary of each participant’s interview was created. A cross-case analysis of these narrative summaries revealed themes that emerged within three pre-determined categories: (a) university music training experiences perceived as having a positive/helpful impact on participants’ relationship with music, (b) university music training experiences perceived as having a negative/unhelpful impact on participants’ relationship with music, and (c) participants’ perspectives on engaging in music therapy as a way of fostering and/or maintaining a constructive relationship with music. Limitations of the study, implications for music therapy practice, education, and advocacy as well as recommendations for future research are presented.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Fine Arts > Creative Arts Therapies
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Rachiele, Isabella
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy)
Date:22 April 2025
Thesis Supervisor(s):Young, Laurel
Keywords:Music Therapy, Music, Music Students, Music Education, Relationship with Music, Undergraduate Music Students, Qualitative Interview Study
ID Code:995461
Deposited By: Isabella Rachiele
Deposited On:17 Jun 2025 17:01
Last Modified:17 Jun 2025 17:01

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