Famous therapists on N.Z. visit

Press, 6 May 1983, Page 9

Famous therapists on N.Z. visit

Clive and Carol Robbins are emotional weathervanes.

Playing music to tune in with emotions is part of their “improvisation” work to help handicapped and mentally disturbed children. Two of the world’s best known music therapists, the American couple have arrived in Christchurch to start a New Zealand teaching tour. Improvisation music therapy is a field that Mr Robbins pioneered with the American composer, Dr Paul Nordoff. Since Dr Nordoff died he has continued teaching with his wife, a former pupil.

“If a sullen child comes in, your first hunch might be to cheer him up, but probably he is going to want

music that is serious to match his mood,” Mr Robbins said.

“Suppose you give him a pair of drumsticks and he starts to beat with the music. He starts to beat stronger and releases quite a bit of anger.” The process goes on from there with Mrs Robbins playing music to follow the moods and Mr Robbins assisting the child with another musical instrument.’ Music could stimulate* a mentally retarded child and draw an autistic child out into a relationship with the therapist. Even profoundly deaf children could hear enough through hearing aids to start responding musically to sounds. “The child becomes more the person he can become.

“It is very often slow work and it is hard to judge a success,” he said.

“Edward” was a notable exception. A five-year-old autistic and psychotic child who screamed constantly, he responded to music. “As we repeated sessions the screaming became more song-like,” Mr Robbins said. Eventually Edward started singing a greeting to the therapist and then progressed to develop speech.

While in Christchurch, the Robbins will hold a four-day workshop at the University of Canterbury Music School. They will also give a public, lecture today at Hadfield House, 80 Park Terrace. A small entry fee will be charged for the lecture, which will start at 8 p.m.