Music Therapy in Schools: A Powerful Tool for Student Growth

At Voices Together, we use the power of music in school programs to help students thrive. Our program, Voices in Education, delivers our specialized music therapy model to schools and districts in North Carolina. Through weekly group sessions, we engage students ages four to 21, from pre-kindergarten through high school. Therefore, we provide a creative and engaging path for students to grow in independence, become strong self-advocates, and fully participate in their communities.

How Music Therapy School Programs Work

Our Voices in Education program provides targeted support where it's needed most. We focus on students in Exceptional Children (EC) and Occupational Course of Study (OCS) classrooms. Our music therapists use a structured, evidence-based approach to help students improve critical communication and social-emotional skills. They guide them through a series of interactive musical activities that promote learning and engagement.

The VOICES Music Therapy™ model helps students with diverse needs. Consequently, our therapists adapt each session to meet the specific goals of the group. We engage students by using music to facilitate discussion, problem-solving, and emotional expression. We believe that this approach creates a safe and supportive environment for students to practice new skills. This practice enables them to successfully transition from school to a community work environment.

Key Benefits of Music Therapy in Schools

The benefits of our program extend far beyond the classroom. When students improve their communication and social-emotional skills, they become more confident. For this reason, they can advocate for themselves and participate more fully in their school and home communities. Our program also helps students with:

• Increased Independence: We empower students to take on new challenges and build self-reliance.
• Stronger Social Skills: We use music to teach and practice skills like turn-taking, collaboration, and peer interaction.
• Effective Communication: Students learn to express their thoughts and feelings clearly, both verbally and non-verbally.

How to Enroll in School Programs

Students enrolled in EC/OCS programs may receive Voices Music Therapy at no cost.

How to Start a Voices in Education Program

Voices in Education programs typically consist of 28 weekly sessions during a traditional school year.

As a nonprofit, Voices Together receives some grant funding that can help schools and districts offset the cost of a yearly contract.

Contact us at programming@voicestogether.org or (919) 942-2714 to discuss how we can bring our program to your school district.