**Taken from the facebook group SAVE THE MSU MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM:

The MSU Music Therapy Program was the FIRST curriculum and degree to be

offered anywhere in the world. It was established in 1944 at the

university level. In 1956 Bob Unkefer was hired to direct the program

and his 33-year career at MSU led the development of many of the basic

principles, beliefs, and foundations in the music therapy profession

and curriculum. This served as an impetus for other colleges across the

country to open their own programs, develop more music therapy

techniques (Neurologic MT, Guided Imagery and MT, Orff Music Therapy,

etc), and design advanced degrees to be attained by those in this

profession.

Unkefer also developed the MSU Student Music Therapy

Clinic in 1969 to help create practicum experiences for the music

therapy students. Throughout its years of development, it has grown to

provide treatment to a wide variety of populations. This clinic has

given MSU a unique training setting for our program and helped

establish a lasting relationship with the surrounding community through

outreach to those who otherwise would not have had access to the health

benefits music therapy.

Among the programs that have benefited

directly from the MSU Student Music Therapy program are Community

Mental Health, Autism Foundation of Ingham County, Eric 'Ric Star'

Winter Music Therapy Camp, MSU Community Music School, Lansing

Parkinson's Disease Support Group, a number of mental health and DD

residential group homes, Transitions North and South vocational

programs for persons with disabilities, several nursing homes, and many

special needs school programs surrounding the Greater Lansing Area.

This

program has helped many families advocate for their special needs

child's right to have school funding for music therapy services. The

student program has offered free services to those experiencing

financial struggles, and students have helped, through volunteer work

and presentations in many community establishments (nursing homes,

hospices, hospitals, schools, etc.), to show the benefits of music

therapy, our profession, and our services here at MSU.

To have a

program such as this removed from the community would be a tremendous

loss to the populations we serve as therapists, those who have very

little voice, control, or power.

We are asking for your support to help us keep this program alive.

We need letters, emails and phone calls to the ALL OF THE following

people to tell them how important this program is within the Greater

Lansing Community and within the music therapy profession itself.

Kim A. Wilcox, Provost & V.P., Academic Affairs

Michigan State University

429 Administration Bldg

East Lansing, MI 48824-1046

517-355-1524

kwilcox@msu.edu[2]

Lou Anna K. Simon, President

Michigan State University

450 Administration Bldg

East Lansing, MI 48824-1046

517-355-6560

presmail@msu.edu[3]

James Forger, Dean

College of Music

Michigan State University

105 Music Bldg

East Lansing, MI 48824-1043

517-355-4583

forger@msu.edu[1]

Frederick Tims Professor of Music Therapy

tims@msu.edu

mtclinic@msu.edu

PLEASE also join our facebook group to show your support and receive up to date information:

SAVE THE MSU MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM