Songwriting, professional studio recording, and a CD release party: Interviews with two adults with mental health conditions

Abstract

Through attaining a small university grant, I was able to fund a studio recording project of original compositions written in music therapy sessions at a local mental health organization and then provide members with a CD release party to showcase their work. I was interested in exploring the members’ experiences of songwriting, recording in a professional studio, and having a CD release party. I therefore conducted individual semi-structured interviews with two adult members who participated in the project and used an inductive approach to thematic analysis to analyze data. The participating music therapist verified the seven themes resultant of data analyses: Commitment to songwriting despite challenges; Valued collaborating with a professional musician and qualified music therapist; Anticipated future songwriting; Desire to deliver an inspirational message through songwriting; Songwriting benefits included pride, mood, self-expression, and accomplishment; Enjoyed the novel studio recording experience; and Positive experience at the CD release party. Emerging themes indicated that songwriting and recording were challenging yet rewarding experiences that the members took seriously. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.