About

The Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy was established in 1974 order to contribute to the progressive development of special music education, music therapy, music in special education and other related fields of practice which examine the relationship between music, health, public health and well-being. The Commission seeks to promote inter-disciplinary communication and exchange between practitioners and scholars who are involved in these fields.

Until 2014 this commision was known as the Commission on Music in Special Education, Music Therapy and Music Medicine

The Commission aims to promote the role of music to foster physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being across the lifespan by:

• Providing an international forum for the exchange of ideas within special music education, music therapy and other related professional fields, and their place within different cultural contexts
• Increasing the visibility of research and best practice within special music education, music therapy and other related professional fields
• Stimulating international research networking and the initiation of international practice and education projects between commission members
• Sharing contemporary technologies, equipment, and methodologies that enhance the musical lives of children and adults requiring special support
• Providing support via networking for music educators, music therapists, and others in related professional fields
• Informing funders and policy makers and advocating about the role of music for children and adults requiring special support

Vision

The vision of the Commission for Special Music Education and Music Therapy is to:

• Promote understanding of the unique roles and scope of special music education and music therapy in different countries and regions of the world
• Promote the interdisciplinary exchange of how to best meet the music, education and health needs of children and adults requiring special support
• Share international perspectives on the current research in special music education, music therapy and other related professional fields
• Nurture musical talent in children and adults requiring special support by sharing international practice, research and training initiatives
• Improve professional training and education of practitioners working in special music education and music therapy
• To promote the educational, therapeutic and health benefits of music across the lifespan
• Promote and advocate for students requiring special support to ensure they are afforded the same quality music education and access to music more generally as that of typically developing students
• Share international practice, research and training initiatives around special music education, music therapy and other related professional fields

Mission

The mission of the Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy is to contribute to any field of practice that examines the relationship between music, education, health and well-being through the promotion of inter-disciplinary dialogue and exchange between practitioners and scholars.

Activity

The Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy accomplishes its mission by holding a pre-conference seminar immediately before the world conference and through an active Facebook group.  Where pre-conference seminar sessions are recorded they are loaded to the ISME YouTube channel.

Commissioners (2024-26)

• Emma Lines (Co-Chair)
• Mark Belfast (Co-Chair)
• Erin Parkes
• Caroline Blumer
• Michelle Pui-San Lee
• Amalia Alan

Contact

Click here to contact the ISME Special Music Education and Music Therapy Co-Chairs.

Join the Facebook group. You don't have to be an ISME member to join.