Among numerous musical instrument stores, we,
as one of them, are trying to promote various activities for the purpose of
spreading harps with the practice of music therapy. The harp fascinates listeners with its gentle
and soft sound, and is supported by wide range of generations of people, no
matter what races and genders they are. Once the harp seems to have given an
impression of rich in pageantry and have kept people at a distance, but recently
by playing the harp in their own styles, more harp lovers are increasing, and harps
have been gradually adapted to other fields.
In a world of music therapy, sessions using harps or clinical examples
are reported at meetings and conferences of music therapy, and the harp has
been well-known as a musical instrument closer to us.
Grace Harp International Co., Ltd. wishes as many music therapists as possible to
know and understand that the harp is safe and easy to handle and has
suitability in playing. We hope harps to
be adapted to many clinical places. We think an experiment to make the best use
of musical therapy practice would bring out unique means of evidence we never
had, and it would contribute to music therapy with viewpoints of vast and academic
experiences. It is possible for a clinical music therapist to arrange such an
opportunity for a client, and we think it is our mission to exchange
experiences and knowledge on harps, and share information with them.
We consider the safety of musical instruments
most important for clients, and to improve their handlings, we pay close
attention to let them see musical instruments with their own eyes, touch them,
listen to the sound, and use them safely.
The more musical instruments are used for music therapy, the more
revitalized the musical industry would be. But we believe musical instrument
manufacturers/distributors should focus on how music therapists can suggest and
provide an environment to use musical instruments safely. Recently, we, Grace Harp International Co.,
Ltd., have adopted music therapists’ opinions and have been improving parts of the
harp: 1) strings are not to be too thin (taking priority to its touch), 2)
strength of strings should have suitable tension, and 3) to make the sticking-out
part of a tuning pin smooth. So far we
have had business results of making clients interested by offering safe harps. We consider that making the possibility of manufacturing
musical instruments and music therapy most is to harmonize natures of science
and art, namely it is a work of academic cooperation, and it is also connected
to support the practice of music therapy with high quality. From now on, we as
a music instrument manufacturer/distributor cooperate with music therapists and
want to deal with the improvement of better musical instruments. Furthermore, to popularize harps we would
like to hold various activities to encourage young players or by planning many
kinds of concerts on various topics and fields.
We
have established a music therapist with two identities: a musician and a
therapist. The music therapist is not
considered adequate if either of his ability as a musician or a therapist is
superior to the other. He/she has to have
balanced elements of wide general knowledge, artistic ability with musical
skills, and professional clinical skills in treating clients. It should be based on musical treatments, not
relying on any medicines. To practice
such music therapies with the strength of music has been proved by music therapists
who have been actively working with remarkable efforts in various fields. However, it is truly difficult to grasp the
actual condition, the reason of which is pointed out that it is because of the
unstable position of a music therapist in the society. Japanese Music Therapy Association has 6,000
members and takes pride in having about 1,300 authorized music therapists. They are earnestly trying to have therapists
state registered to establish music therapy as an occupation, and to be able to
pour their abilities to make the field prosperous.
For example in an advanced welfare state, the United Kingdom, the
qualification of music therapists is authorized nationally, and music
therapists are state registered profession, equal to medical specialists. Also there is Association of Professional
Music Therapists to fully support professional music therapists. As a musical instrument store, we are seeking
seriously what can be done by studying the precedent research and its results
of such established states.
Cordially yours,
Yoshiko Nihei
President
Grace Harp International Co., Ltd. May 20, 2009
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