Library music time: A case study of the ripple effects caused by a community early childhood music program in regional Victoria
Tracks
Stream 4
Friday, September 6, 2024 |
1:50 PM - 2:05 PM |
Room 4 |
Speaker
Kyong-Tae Kim
Music Therapist
Sole Trader
Library music time: A case study of the ripple effects caused by a community early childhood music program in regional Victoria
Abstract Overview
The importance of the community and the critical role that it plays in supporting the wellbeing of individuals has been highlighted in recent years in the wake of major disruptions to daily living such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A trend towards focusing on improving wellbeing by impacting the ecology, in which people participate in daily tasks and activities with others, had already been established in the field of music therapy through approaches such as Community Music Therapy. Despite this, there remains a necessity to exemplify more music programs that have been created in collaboration between music therapists and resourced cultural stakeholders, such as local governments, in music therapy literature. This is a particularly pertinent issue for regional communities, who generally experience greater disadvantage in accessing critical services such as healthcare (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). Music Time is a free, weekly early childhood public library music program in regional Victoria that is facilitated by a music therapist and funded by the local shire council. The program was originally co-created between these two parties but its form continues to develop through the contributions of diverse participants. The creative journeys that Music Time has facilitated can be evidenced in the ripple effects which have been measurable on a number of ecological levels: guardians in attendance observed growth in/with their children, as well as reporting on positive impacts of their own wellbeing; friendships were formed that led to increased interactions between families beyond the sessions; more community events were organised in conjunction with other groups such as the local Playgroup and; the sessions attracted disabled adult participants, who were not the initial intended target group. This case study highlights the mutually beneficial unfurling of a co-created music program at the individual, cultural and structural levels and adds to the body of evidence that calls for greater resources to be allocated by influential bodies towards community music programs.
Biography
Kyong-Tae (Phil) Kim is a Korean born New Zealander, currently residing and working in Taungurung country, in regional Victoria. He initially moved to take up a graduate teaching position at the local high school in 2014 and completed the Master of Music Therapy course last year. In his first year as RMT, Phil is working in a wide range of contexts within his local community including primary schools, NDIS and privately funded participants, the aged-care facility and early childhood settings. Phil’s practice is influenced by works that focus on community, inclusion and social connectedness.
