A unique event is taking place from October 2–4 in Perth, entitled Inspiration Symposium: The Heart of Music Therapy in Practice. This event is being created by eleven music therapists from the Perth, Ottawa, Guelph and Kingston regions, and is taking place in venues throughout Perth.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a very special field of practice in which trained and certified professionals use music as their main way to connect with the people they work with. They use music to interact and help people to learn more about themselves. It’s a goal-oriented practice: for every person they work with, they set specific intentions and design ways to use music that help that person reach their personal goals.
Sometimes music therapists used precomposed music, sometimes improvised, sometimes they use listening to music (receptive music therapy), and sometimes they help people to write their own songs. They may also use performance, drawing, movement, the act of conducting, or lyrics of favourite songs to guide a person toward self-discovery. They might even use orchestral music to inspire the imagination, exploring images that arise which are similar to dreaming (Guided Imagery in Music). They work with people alone, in groups, in unusual places and in familiar places. They use the voice, percussion instruments, melodic instruments, stringed instruments, and anything that works. Every scenario asks for something different — they are creative beings who use music in any way at all to help an individual reach their full potential.
Why Lanark County?
Music therapy is flourishing here. There are three certified music therapists living in Perth alone. There are around 20 in total in Ottawa and Perth, who service Ottawa, Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth and Smiths Falls. If you have a loved one living at either of the long-term care homes in Perth, you may have seen a music therapist in action. Music therapists work in long-term care, in day programs, in group homes, schools, at the individual’s home, at bedside, in hospitals, and in their own clinics. They work with tiny babies, with people in palliative care, and everyone in between. Music therapy is offered in approximately 25 locations throughout Lanark County, and approximately 50 locations in the Ottawa Valley.
Is This for Me?
Yes! Even if you’re not a music therapist, you might just be curious. Maybe you are a music student considering what you can do with your training besides teach or perform. Maybe you have a loved one in care who you think might benefit. Maybe you yourself can imagine benefitting from this version of self-care.
So often music therapy conferences highlight research, theory, and studies done to advance the field. This is very important, but there is also a need on the part of music therapists to experience new practical ideas that they can take back to their own practices. That’s what this symposium is about. Every presentation will be at least 50% experiential.
So, although the original spark was inspired by the desire to create something for music therapists, anyone can participate. Read on to find out how.
Events and Workshops
Singspiration is an event created especially for our community that will take place on the evening of Saturday, October 3 from 7–10pm at the Perth Legion at 26 Beckwith St. W. (entry at the door by donation). This will be an evening for anyone, regardless of choral or singing experience. Never tried singing with others before? Here’s your chance. Are you an experienced chorister? Here’s a chance to try something completely different. We will be singing popular songs and heart songs, all in easy-to-learn harmonies. We hope to pack this event with people who want to spend an evening singing accessible music together. The Rivermen (Rob Rainer and David Ramsden) will be providing interlude music, and members of Soön will accompany the sung portions of the evening.
Three headliners will present workshops on Friday October 2, 3 and 4 at the Studio Theatre, 63 Gore St. E. (at a cost of $45 for each workshop). On Friday, October 2 from 8:45–10:45am, Denise Grocke will present a workshop on cutting edge practices in the field of Guided Imagery in Music. Denise is a music therapist/scholar from Melbourne, Australia. On Saturday, October 3 from 9am to noon, Soön, a music therapist’s band from Montreal, will bring us “a creative recharge” as we experience how they create music with others. Then on Sunday, October 4 from 12:30–2:30pm, Diane Austin from the state of New York will give us experiences of Vocal Psychotherapy.
Day Passes are available for $130, including the headliners event for that day and Singspiration. This is a perfect option for someone wanting to get a taste of what the field of music therapy has to offer. Twenty-two workshops will be presented by music therapists and other practitioners throughout the weekend. With 3 concurrent sessions a day, you can choose from 9 presentations! Participants are coming from across Canada and the United States, from as far away as Vancouver, Halifax and Texas. With a day pass you can get a good range of experiences.
Want to immerse yourself in the amazing field of music therapy? The cost for the full symposium is $325, which includes access to all events including Singspiration and a welcome reception/open mic event on Friday, October 2 at Fiddleheads Bar and Grill from 7–9pm.
This event is not-for-profit to keep it accessible to as many people as possible. If any money is left over after the event, it will be donated to a music therapy related charity.
Would you like more information? Check out mtinspirationsymposium2026.ca, or email questions to mtinspirationsymposium@gmail.com.