Berklee Develops New Technologies in Music Therapy April 5, 2011

Berklee College of Music’s Music Therapy and Electronic Production and Design departments have collaborated to develop cutting edge music therapy software and hardware that extend beyond those offered for general clinical use. Over the past semester, a class from Berklee’s Music Therapy department and class from Berklee’s Electronic Production and Design department have worked to advance the technologies currently available in music therapy. For example, students and faculty have been developing new technologies to perfect video motion tracking so clinicians can look at how physical therapy patients move and if they’re able to regain a wider range of motion because of their music therapy treatment.

Michael Moniz, Associate Professor of Music Technology for Music Therapists, and Dr. Richard Boulanger, Professor of Electronic Production and Design and an international pioneer in computer music and computer-based alternate music controllers, will showcase the latest advances at the second annual Music Therapy Technology Symposium. Open to the public, the symposium will take place on Tuesday, April 5, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Berklee’s David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Street, Boston.

Student developers will demonstrate their current projects, and experiential demonstrations will take place in order for attendees to gain hands-on experience in technologies being discussed. The one-day event will begin with a talk on the field’s technological research and development by Dr. Wendy Magee, International Fellow in Music Therapy at London’s Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

A special demonstration station will showcase what music therapy technology might look like in the future. Boulanger and his team of Berklee software developers will showcase their custom software and hardware based on the Apple PowerBook, Apple iPad, Nintendo WiiMote, RockBand Guitars and Drums, and other technologies. Music therapy faculty members will also present low-cost iPhone, iTouch, and iPad applications that are readily available for music therapists.

About Berklee College of Music:
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For over 65 years, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art music and the music business. With over a dozen performances and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing over 70 countries, and a music industry “who’s who” of alumni, Berklee is the world’s premier learning lab for the music of today – and tomorrow.