The healing power of music

Faculty Office Hour looks into music theory, therapy

The field of music therapy, according to Nicole O’Malley, is one that is growing rapidly.

On Dec. 1, the University of Rhode Island Foundation and Alumni Engagement hosted their third virtual faculty office hour live streamed on YouTube at 6 p.m. The office hour, led by O’Malley, was entitled “Brain Health.” 

O’Malley is an assistant clinical professor and director of URI’s music therapy program, a new degree program that trains students to use their musical skills in a health care setting to improve patients’ sensorimotor, cognitive, language, emotional and social outcomes. 

She received a bachelor’s of music in music therapy from Anna Maria College and a master of arts in music therapy from Berklee College of Music. She is a neurologic music therapy fellow and has completed level 1 neonatal intensive care unit training. O’Malley is also the founder, executive director and president of Hands in Harmony, a local nonprofit offering neurologic music therapy throughout Rhode Island and nearby areas of Massachusetts. 

Duval Clear, better known by his stage name “Masta Ace,” a URI alumnus and rapper, shared one of his songs, entitled “Son of Yvonne.” Through this song, Clear expressed his feelings about his recently passed mother that he said he could not say before. 

“This song was really therapeutic for me,” Clear said. “I felt like there was something left unsaid between her and I. I decided to write this song and really do a whole album about my mother to show people our relationship and get to say the things I didn’t get to say when she was living.”

At URI, music therapy is a five-year degree that requires at least 500 clinical hours and internship placements that lead to national board certification and state licensure as a practicing music therapist. A certification exam is required and must be renewed every five years with proficiency in order to practice. 

The rhythm of music, in general, has been proven to activate the motor areas of the brain, according to O’Malley. Work in music therapy is tailored to the client and shows improvement of motor functions. Using some non-music techniques and variations, music therapy can also help Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients remember previous events in their lives through song. 

“It’s key we work with the style and culture of the patient we are servicing,” O’Malley said. “People ask ‘What kind of music is it?’ It’s about the kind of music that will fit the needs of the client.”

O’Malley also said that music can also greatly benefit mental health. 

“We spend a lot of time looking at depression and mood stability and how to use music to support those areas,” O’Malley said. 

According to her, music stops the train of thought and lets you focus on something else in the moment, allowing a temporary change of mood. She said the brain needs breaks to regenerate and rest so the music pause helps reduce stress on the brain. 

Telehealth has allowed the music therapy services to move online and increase the aid needed for the clients, however, they are still looking to increase access. There are approximately 9,000 music therapists in the country right now and the field is rapidly growing with heightened demand for practice. 

“There has been a lot of movement on a national and local level,” O’Malley said. “Nationally we are recognized by a number of bodies, but locally it has been about building access points and recognition.”  

The lecture was followed by a question and answer session, during which a participant asked O’Malley how to use music to manage stress.

“Think about your own music preference and how it can support you,” O’Malley said. “Often the music you think relaxes you is the opposite of what you need. Make sure you choose music that can support and relax you.”

Faculty Office Hours will be back in February with a focus on sustainability.