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I am delighted to report that I have been accepted into the doctoral program in Creativity at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The low-residency, dissertation program begins in June of 2022. Continuing research that I began for my Harvard masters degree, I will be studying and writing about the effects on wellbeing and health of a songwriting and singing intervention for psychiatric in- and outpatients, other medical populations, and people living without homes--groups with whom I regularly work as a volunteer musician.
As you may know, the health benefits of participatory music are gaining an ever higher profile in the public sphere. Recently, for example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a series of grants to researchers investigating the health benefits of a variety of music programs and interventions. One of these studies, at Yale Medical School, will assess the effects of a songwriting and singing program on levels of distress among those experiencing psychosis. Unfortunately, I was not able to apply for one of these NIH grants for my PhD songwriting and singing research because grant funds--as is true with most research grants--were not to be used within the context of graduate study. Thus, this GoFundMe page.
To give you an idea of what songs created in this research project might sound like, I have posted a link to a video of a song I wrote a couple of years ago with some of the psychiatric patients with whom I make music. The song is called Second Wind. You can listen to a multitrack recording here. And see a video of a stripped down strumming-my-guitar-in-the-living-room version here.
Please consider helping me pay for my research project and PhD. The University of the Arts is providing a substantial tuition grant as are the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and my local parish. I will, of course, contribute some of my own funds, as well. But, it would be great if I could raise another $8,000 to $10,000 to cover tuition and other costs. Education is expensive! Please offer what you can.
Cheers, Bob
As you may know, the health benefits of participatory music are gaining an ever higher profile in the public sphere. Recently, for example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a series of grants to researchers investigating the health benefits of a variety of music programs and interventions. One of these studies, at Yale Medical School, will assess the effects of a songwriting and singing program on levels of distress among those experiencing psychosis. Unfortunately, I was not able to apply for one of these NIH grants for my PhD songwriting and singing research because grant funds--as is true with most research grants--were not to be used within the context of graduate study. Thus, this GoFundMe page.
To give you an idea of what songs created in this research project might sound like, I have posted a link to a video of a song I wrote a couple of years ago with some of the psychiatric patients with whom I make music. The song is called Second Wind. You can listen to a multitrack recording here. And see a video of a stripped down strumming-my-guitar-in-the-living-room version here.
Please consider helping me pay for my research project and PhD. The University of the Arts is providing a substantial tuition grant as are the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and my local parish. I will, of course, contribute some of my own funds, as well. But, it would be great if I could raise another $8,000 to $10,000 to cover tuition and other costs. Education is expensive! Please offer what you can.
Cheers, Bob