Behind the scenes

Abstract

Welcome to this new issue of Approaches. Although published with some delay, we hope that this issue will stimulate dialogue and offer new perspectives to practice, theory and research. Some articles were included in Approaches’ First View section one or two years ago but their content remains relevant to contemporary developments in the music therapy field.

In her article, Saville focuses on outcome measurement with specific reference to the ‘East Kent Outcomes System’ (EKOS). The application of EKOS, as a means of identifying and tracking outcomes of participation in music therapy, is illustrated through a case example with an adult with intellectual disability. Saville’s work adds to the expanding interest in outcome measurement in music therapy (Spiro, Tsiris & Cripps 2018a, 2018b). Similarly, Pasiali, Schoolmeesters and Engen present a detailed analysis of measures of resilience. They outline various ways music therapists may look into assessing resilience and use the results as a way to inform their clinical practice.

Silverman and Baker turn the spotlight on the notion of flow. They explore its meanings and its potential as a possible mechanism of change that can explain research  outcomes in music therapy. On the other hand, Neudofer presents a metatheoretical perspective of music therapy through the lens of Baier’s anthropological theory of spirituality. Through patient narratives emerging from an action research study, she explores how patients with cancer identify their unique stories and find a sense of identity and meaning.

Based on an ethnographic study in two homes for the elderly, the final article offers an experiential description of tango during the interwar period in Greece. Koufou explores people’s experiences of tango from a socio-cultural point of view, weaves oral history snippets together, and presents the potential impact of tango on the current sense of identity and wellbeing of the participants.

In addition to these five articles, in this issue you will find an interview with Barbara Wheeler, a prominent figure and author of multiple music therapy textbooks. Interviewed by Daphne Rickson, Wheeler reflects on music therapy research, using the publication of the third edition of Music Therapy Research as a springboard. Some of the historical perspectives offered in Wheeler’s interview resonate with those in Suzanne Hanser’s report. Through the account of the establishment and development of music therapy at Berklee College of Music in the USA over the past 20 years, Hanser outlines some broader issues pertaining to the contemporary training of music therapists  (see also: Coombes & Etmektsoglou 2017). This journal issue also includes seven book reviews, nine conference reports, as well as a tribute to Mary Priestley, who died on 11^th June 2017.

Since the last journal issue in 2017, the team of Approaches has been busy improving the journal’s infrastructure and streamlining its reviewing and publication procedures. This work that happens behind the scenes is essential for the sustainability of the journal as we are gradually entering the second decade of its life. Among other developments, a five-year service period has been introduced for all Advisory Editorial Board members. As such, some longstanding members stepped down and some new members joined the team. With this opportunity we would like to warmly thank Catherine Carr, Theo Dimitriadis, Ioanna Etmektsoglou, Panagiotis Kabilis, Panagiotis Kanellopoulos and Evangelia Papanikolaou for their service over the past years. At the same time, we have welcomed Bolette Daniels Beck, Kjetil Hjørnevik and Mike Silverman. The voluntary work of all team members has played, and continues to play, a decisive role in ensuring the quality of the publications appearing in Approaches. With the ultimate goal of advancing music therapy knowledge and practice, our editorial team has collaborated with over 400 contributing authors and 100 reviewers to date. A full list of their names has been made available online: https://approaches.gr/editorial-board

In closing, we warmly thank the sponsors of Approaches and we are pleased to announce two new sponsors: ‘echo’ Music Psychotherapy Center, and Music Therapy New Zealand. The support of all sponsors provides the essential means to continue our work and maintain Approaches as an open-access journal.

References

Coombes, E., & Etmektsoglou, I. (2017). Glimpses into the challenges and opportunities of a new training programme: The MA Music Therapy programme at the University of South Wales. Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, 9(1), 120-127.

Spiro, N., Tsiris, G., & Cripps, C. (2018a). A systematic review of outcome measures in music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 36(1), 67-78.

Spiro, N., Tsiris, G., & Cripps, C. (2018b). “Sounds good, but… what is it?” An introduction to outcome measurement from a music therapy perspective. Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, First View (Advance online publication), 1-19.

Suggested citation:
Tsiris, G., & Pasiali, V. (2018). Behind the scenes. Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, 10(1), 5-6.