An Analysis of Songbook Series for Older Adult Populations

Abstract

Music therapists utilize singing as therapeutic technique to meet various goals and objectives for clients of all ages and areas of needs. The therapeutic importance of singing has been substantiated within American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Professional Competencies (2004). As denoted in Professional Competencies, music therapists are expected to utilize vocal, piano, and guitar skills to perform variety of music genres; acquisition of these skills is considered essential during undergraduate training (AMTA, 2004). Furthermore, Standards for Clinical Practice state music therapist must aim for the highest level and quality of music involvement consistent with functioning level of client. The music therapist's provision of music will reflect his or her best abilities as musician (p. 1 9). Furthermore, Appropriate musical instruments and materials, should be used in music therapy services (AMTA, 2004, p. 19).Researchers have determined that well elderly prefer singing activities over all other types of activities (Gilbert & Beai, 1982; Hylton, 1983). In addition, research has indicated that singing interventions have improved speech and memory of adults with cognitive impairments (Cohen, 1992; Cohen & Masse, 1993; Haneishi, 2001), assisted individuals with dementia in learning names as well as recalling new songs versus spoken materials (Carruth, 1 997; Prickett & Moore, 1 991 ), and resulted in greater vocal and verbal participation for group singing versus discussion group for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (Olderog-Millard & Smith, 1989).To lead these singing activities, music therapists typically utilize singing with guitar or piano accompaniment. Moore, Staum, and Brotons (1 992) found that after they removed live music presentation conditioned from their analysis, recorded piano chordal accompaniment was most preferred, followed by recorded guitar accompaniment. Furthermore, well elderly also preferred popular music from their young adult years, which is music that was popular when they were 1 8-25 years old (Barlett & Snelus, 1 980; Gibbons, 1 977; Gilbert & Beai, 1982; Hylton, 1983; Jonas, 1991; Lathom, Peterson, & Havelicek, 1 982; Moore, Staum, & Brotons, 1 992). While these researchers provided plethora of information regarding genre of music most preferred by well elderly, little information existed regarding specific song titles for this population. Recently, VanWeelden and Cevasco (2007) investigated repertoire that music therapists used with geriatric clients during singing activities. Music therapists listed top five songs they used for popular, musicals, patriotic, hymn, and folk music. Interestingly, they contributed two times more popular songs than any other category. Song lists were provided within this study, including top 10 recommended songs for each genre as well as complete list of all recommended songs for each genre.Based on top 10 recommended popular and musical songs (a total of 32 songs due to tied ranks) from VanWeelden and Cevasco 2007 study, VanWeelden and Cevasco (2009) investigated whether geriatric clients had heard song before, generally preferred listening to song, and would want to sing song. Almost all of participants had heard all of songs; only one song was not heard by more than 80% of participants. The top two songs geriatric clients liked a lot were Over Rainbow and Moon River. The greatest number of participants indicated they would most like to sing following songs: By Light of Silvery Moon, In Good Old Summertime, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, and You are My Sunshine.Utilizing songs from top 32 popular and musical songs from VanWeelden and Cevasco study (2007), VanWeelden, Juchniewicz, and Cevasco (2008) tested whether undergraduate and graduate music therapy students had heard song, could identify name of song, and could name decade song was composed. …