Music should be valued for its social impact on individuals, communities and society at large

Music therapy is well established as a paramedical intervention, and a growing body of evidence supports its effectiveness in areas such as neurorehabilitation, dementia care and autism. It has been shown to facilitate physical and emotional wellbeing and improve cognitive functioning, motor skills, communication and emotional development. It has also been found to reduce agitation and the need for medication in people with dementia. It can alleviate anxiety, depression and stress while increasing resilience and wellbeing.

But for most of the people we work with, the benefits of music therapy are also fundamentally social. Skillfully crafted musical opportunities give people who find social interaction challenging a chance to flourish in ways that words do not permit. This is as true for someone with advanced dementia as it is for a child who has not yet developed language, or a teenager who finds it difficult to convey their frustrations. Importantly, this is not about ‘giving’ them therapy; it is about allowing them to be heard and affirming their contribution to society.

Along with others in music, we will continue to argue that music should be valued for its social impact on individuals, communities and society at large, and urge policy makers to look at its value in terms that go beyond financial cost. We are actively working to develop the evidence base for the social value of music and music therapy, and how they contribute to health and wellbeing, support education and enrich our lives. We also campaign for access to suitable music-making opportunities to be understood as a right rather than a luxury.

Nordoff and Robbins held a conference on the Social Value of Music in December 2019, bringing policymakers, researchers and music practitioners together to discuss and develop the evidence base for the social value of music. As the leading voice for music therapy, we anticipate that this conference will act as a launchpad for future collaboration and new research.