Taylor and Francis

Taylor and Francis

English

Aigen’s latest work is a tour de force that considers over fifty years of scholarship in Music Therapy. It represents a coming of age treatment that will introduce readers from many disciplines to the depth, complexities, discourses and debates that occupy our continuous challenge to understand and articulate the critical and transformative role of music in our lives. – Carolyn Kenny, Professor of Human Development and Indigenous Studies, Antioch University, USA Kenneth Aigen skillfully performs a thought-provoking examination of a number of debates within the discourse of music therapy. He promotes a pluralistic outlook but does not step back from substantial critique of positions he finds problematic. We have, then, a challenging yet inviting book we should read with care and imagination. – Brynjulf Stige, Professor in Music Therapy at the University of Bergen, and Head of Research at GAMUT – The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, UoB and Uni Health, Uni Research, Norway I highly recommend this text to all music therapists, and others interested in understanding theoretical underpinnings of our field. - Clare O’Callaghan, Music Therapist and Honorary Associate Professor, University of Melbourne In this philosophical treatment, Aigen (New York Univ.; president of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation and past president of the American Association for Music Therapy) takes an academic approach to defining and discussing the issues of this multidimensional profession...the volume includes tables and an extensive bibliography. Summing Up: Recommended. - V. S. Xenakis, formerly, State University of New York College at Cortland in CHOICE The Study of Music Therapy: Current Issues and Concepts is a groundbreaking publication from Ken Aigen, one of the most pro-lific scholars in our field...This book is invaluable for practicing music therapists and for professionals outside the field who have a scholarly interest in music therapy...I strongly recommend this book. - Lisa Summer, Anna Maria College The text should assist music therapists to locate and articulate theoretical stances informing their work, conceptualisation of their value, and potentially increase tolerance and shared understanding. . . . . I highly recommend this text to all music therapists, and others interested in understanding theoretical underpinnings of our field. -Australian Journal of Music Therapy This book is a welcome addition to the scholarly music therapy (MT) literature. I cannot think of anything similar, and yet it is obvious that such a book is needed. It presents, discusses, and synthesizes topics that are rarely found in existing books or articles. . . . Aigen is a well-read and up-to-date scholar, so there is plenty of inspiration and discussion material in every part and chapter. . . . Aigen loves debate, and he is excellent in finding poignant formulations for standpoints that are not always easily formulated or properly distinguished. I think all topics are well chosen as related to the dialogical purpose of the book, the intention of multidisciplinary exchange and understanding. - Lars Ole Bonde, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy