While our growing knowledge of the varied and complex functions of music as inextricably linked with our social and cultural contexts prevails (DeNora, 2012), there is a lack of scholarship exploring contemporary social and cultural contexts of motherhood and music’s function and role within this time of significant change. The term 'matrescence', was first coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in 1975, to describe the life altering transformation of becoming a mother. More recent scholarship is articulating the rapid and extreme hormonal and environmental changes of pregnancy that mark matrescence as a major biosocial and neurocognitive developmental period (akin to adolescence) that extends well beyond the early post-partum period (Orchard et al., 2023). Yet, many of us, including those identifying as a mother, are unfamiliar with this specific term to describe and mark such a period of transformational change. In Australia, alarming statistics suggest that maternal mental illness during pregnancy and into motherhood is a major public health concern in our community and requires prioritisation of healthcare and community-based services to best support the health and well-being of both the mother and baby (Bryson et al., 2021; Gidget Foundation, 2019).

However, despite music therapists often working closely with mother’s (and those identifying as a m/other) in diverse and varied family inclusive contexts, there is often a more infant-centric clinical and research focus into how and why music therapy may directly support and benefit the infant and developing child. This resounding scholarship on matrescence and maternal mental health needs within our current society demands our curiosity and attention as music therapists, as we attempt to better represent, value and advocate for the diversity of mother’s needs to be equally seen and heard in our practice.

Drawing on a case study example of a community singing group series ‘Mama Melodies’, this paper will discuss the need for innovative, matricentric focused music therapy practices that creatively accompany mother’s as they journey across matrescence.