Harmony Sound · Soul Journey · Dream Land: A Proposal for Establishing a Degree Program in Music Healing in colleges and universities
23 August 2024
17:00 - 17:30 hrs (GMT+7)
Music possesses the ability to heal the human mind and body, representing a profound concern for human existence. Contemporary music healing offers a novel path for individual wellness and self-discovery. By achieving inner harmony, it contributes to the overall harmony of society, showcasing the power of music in resolving conflicts through vibrations within culture. While both Music Therapy and Music Healing involve using music to enhance mental and physical health, "Music Therapy" is primarily aimed at treating physical ailments using music from physiological, medical, and physical perspectives. In contrast, "Music Healing" focuses on cultural and spiritual aspects, addressing emotions, feelings, and cognition, accelerating the recovery process and promoting a holistic synchrony of the heart, mind, and spirit. In recent years, the global healing economy has been growing rapidly, reflecting a widespread concern for mental health and quality of life in the context of globalization. From the "happiness economy" to "holistic health," music healing is positioned on a fast-growing track within the healing industry. Diverse business models such as healing concerts, music healing training, music healing cases, music healing products and sales, and retreat activities are emerging. However, beneath this flourishing surface lies issues such as a lack of healing theory, industry chaos, and varying levels of professional competence among healers. The closure of information channels, misunderstandings of spiritual culture, and interruptions in knowledge transmission not only affect the professionalism and credibility of music healing practitioners but also threaten the dignity and integrity of the original cultures. Therefore, music healing education is becoming a focal point of market attention. However, no university has yet established a degree program in this field. Universities should take on the responsibility of building a systematic discipline of music healing, using scientific and systematic educational concepts to achieve knowledge sharing and innovation, providing contemporary youth aspiring to join this industry with more diverse and effective choices. Although this proposal awaits the test of practice, the teaching objectives, curriculum design, professional development, teaching methods, faculty team, and base construction of the music healing degree program involve many aspects and interests, which need to be addressed in a targeted manner based on the actual conditions of the implementing institutions. Nonetheless, establishing a music healing program in universities will help to gain a deeper understanding of the significant role of music education and academic research in promoting world harmony. In the future, the field of music healing will gradually expand into areas such as theoretical research, elderly care and wellness, education and training, psychological counselling, arts management, instrument making, and cultural creative industries. This proposal not only addresses the challenges of educational principles and economic laws but also contributes to building a "dreamland" filled with hope and harmony.