Canada Celebrates March for Music Therapy: Focus on the Power of a Community Practice in Perth, Ontario, Canada

March for Music TherapyIn Canada, March is National Music Therapy Awareness Month. To celebrate, the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund (CMTTF), in partnership with The Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT), hosted the 2nd Annual March for Music Therapy coast to coast on March 29th. The Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund has raised millions since 1998 to help people receive music therapy services, research, and scholarships.A Music Therapy Community Practice in Lanark Area, Ontario, CanadaNicola Oddy arrived in Perth in 1991 and built a community practice consisting of nearly 20 regional sites. In 2002, Rebecca Worden, MTA came to Perth to share the practice, and it continues to expand. It has been an internship hub for 15 years. Community support is a key factor in this town.The Music Therapy March in PerthIt is 24 years later that Perth hosted the March for Music Therapy Fundraiser Walk as one of 10 locations across Canada. Nicola Oddy and Rebecca Worden led the organization team with the help of music therapists from the Ottawa and Lanark area. In total, 80 people participated in Perth on March 29th. Highlights of the event included performances of a Dixie Land Band to kick off the walk, performances of jazz and vocal ensembles, hoopers, and a songwriting workshop hosted by Canadian folk musician James Keelaghan. A fruitful silent auction featuring items donated by the community helped raised the Perth's contribution of $3200 to the CMTTF. Thank you to the community of Perth for the incredible support received at the March for Music Therapy in support of the CMTTF.Annabelle Brault, Music Therapy InternWFMT Executive Assistant