“The screams crashed into silence”: A therapeutic songwriting project for young adults with life-shortening illnesses

Abstract

Songwriting is widely practised within diverse music therapy contexts (Baker 2015a; Baker and Wigram 2005; Baker et al. 2008). However, little is known about its potential role and application with young adults facing a life-shortening or life-limiting illness1 – a gap that reflects the limited music therapy provision for this population more generally. This chapter introduces the Moving On With Music project, which is facilitated by Joanne and researched by Giorgos and Daphne. Through the lens of a case study, we reflect on the songwriting processes, including considerations regarding the use of technology that have emerged during this ongoing project. In setting the context for understanding this work, we first consider the broader profile of young adults living with life-shortening illnesses, as well as some existing music therapy literature pertaining to songwriting with this population.