Abstract:

The paper is focused on receptive music activities and its use in educating, stimulating or therapy of students with multiple disabilities. At the beginning of the paper models for receptive music therapy and theoretical background for musical activities in this population are presented. The purpose and goals of musical activities in education and social settings are discussed.

In the second part of the paper application of authors’ research in this area is presented. The aim of this research was to collect data for the development of a model for musical stimulation of students with severe multiple disabilities and its evaluation in several groups of students as well as intact people. The basic design of the model for receptive music activities was based on the experiences from music therapy practice of the authors.
The model was first tested on four intact adult individuals. The total amount of people involved in these groups was 44. Reflections and observations of the realised receptive music activities took place as a part of the survey in these groups. At first, the participants’ motivation for involvement in the groups was analysed. It was assessed after each lesson of receptive music activities using scales designed by authors and verbal reflection with qualitative features. Each group had three such lessons.

The other musical groups consisted of students with severe multiple disabilities. Two groups, each of 12 students, were formed. The model was being tested for 10 months with lessons held twice a month. The data were collected using observation of the students and reflection of the researchers who led the lessons.

The proposed model was then adjusted using the data acquired from all the groups. This improved model for receptive music activities is presented at the end of the paper. It uses a combination of receptive and active music activities suitable to the needs of the teachers and therapists. The possibilities for the use of this model for educational, therapeutic and stimulation purposes are being discussed and further research options are offered.

Keywords:

Receptive musical acitivites, multiple disability, music stimulation, music education, music therapy.