Today I'm thinking about...

Culture.

My aunt came over last night and told me about a new show - My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. I guess it is an interesting look at the culture of travelers. I think of, immediately, The Riches (an old series on FX). The Riches were a family of travelers. Anyhow, I guess once you get through the TLC sensationalism, the cultural part is really interesting. I'm hooked already. I think it airs Thursday nights. I'll be looking for it tonight.

(picture right off TLC's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding---------->)

Anyhoooo, this made me think about different cultures. I remember in undergrad that part of my anthropology class focused on the homeless teens in urban environments- they are a subgroup and have a specific culture. So naturally, I started drawing ties to the profession (rather than the discipline) of music therapy. Not that music therapists walk around with bike chains wrapped in socks (known as smileys)... although..... just kidding. But I started to think about the culture, the people in it, what defines success in our field, unifying ideas/tenets/beliefs, and what kind of subgroups might exist.

So then...

I had to look up the definition of Culture.

"The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively."

Hmmm that could work.

I haven't been apart of the profession for a long time (4 years as a student, 1 year as an intern, and now 6 months as a professional), but I feel like there are some patterns and similarities to cultural/societal systems developing - you know, in my own mind. For example, there are certain roles and titles that define where we are in our development as therapists.

Students - just barely getting to know what music therapy is! We're babies. We need education, often hand holding, a lot of advice, nurturing, tough love, strict deadlines, and seemingly impossible practicum placesments.... just to "get" it.

Internship- is sort of like an adolescence, a time for growth and development as a therapist while still under direct supervision

Professional - Adult. Experience and knowledge develop over time. There are people who remain at a bachelors level, those that go on to get a Masters or Doctorate and those that leave the field. Some teach; some research; some do. Some do two of these things. Some try to do all three. It seems that more mature therapists tend to be more involved within the organization and are there to mold and guide the younger therapists. Mature therapists step down and new therapists step in... the circle of life.

Some therapists identify more with regional groups, state groups, groups by university, groups of interns that shared the same supervisor, older MTs, younger MTs, there are MTs that identify more with their model or philosophical orientation. There are some groups that chose not to be members in the organization --- and I would say that they make a group too.

This whole organization is a complex system. It has checks and balances. It has an elected board that makes decisions on behalf of the membership. It has a code of conduct- ethical and moral standards- and standards of education and practice. The organization has one definition for music therapy with many models, techniques and paradigms underneath it.... yet sometimes, there seems to be some division... or uneasy acceptance towards those that practice in different ways or those who may chose to leave the field. As a young professional, I can't quite put my finger on it.

Sometimes, I think with any group, the differences seem to be highlighted and unity put to the back seat.... like marketing yourself. Why chose this person when I have a certification in this type of model or have completed a specific training? But we're all music therapists in the end, and I believe that we want the same things for our clients-- to promote growth and health (however that might mean for the individual) through music and a therapeutic relationship. Each therapist does it differently and I think its easy to get hung up on that. I do it ALL of the time and find I have to police myself when reading or seeing things. It takes all kinds, right? Absolutely!

This brought up a few more questions about how a culture develops and what keeps a culture alive (unified) over generations. I don't want to give away all of my thoughts--- as many of them went into my Good Idea Journal for later investigation and thought.... but it continues to be something I think about every time I see a new blog, read a thread on the music therapy listserv or compare stories with friends and colleagues (Often "Hmmm where did this person come from, where did they study, how do they practice).

Also... where do I fit in right now? I've learned a lot but still know so little about this great field. I've made it through school and internship and now I'm a new professional.... by title. But do I feel that way? Sometimes.

As you can see, I've been busy thinking over the past few days. It was more like a brainflurry instead of a brainstorm.

It sort of reminded me of working at the fair. Maybe Holly and DiAnne might agree... there are certain types of groups that make the fair happen every year. There are people you love to see every year that you work well with and there are those that are just a little more difficult to appreciate. Maybe they most identify with their department or building or "title," but at the end of the 22 days of fair you end up with a hell of a result.

This kind of stuff is everywhere. I think its pretty interesting.

I am off to Utah to spend some time with music therapy colleagues for a couple of days and I am really looking forward to it.