Perspectives of a musical intervention: A phenomenological approach to composers and adolescents in collaboration

Background & Objectives: Music is a valuable instrument for adolescents as they navigate through developmental stressors. In particular, musical intervention for adolescents with mental health concerns in hospitals is a burgeoning practice, yet little is known about the meaning of these interventions for this demographic. Furthermore, composers intrinsically understand how to manipulate music for specific needs. However the rationale underlying their choices with respect to writing for this environment is under-researched. This study examines how composers of healing music engage adolescents with mental health concerns collaboratively, to compose meaningful music that may influence their wellbeing. Method: The behaviour and responses of adolescents from Sydney, Victoria and Adelaide hospitals, engaged in a musical intervention were observed throughout a musical intervention. Six composers and three coordinators or staffs were interviewed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to gain deep understanding of psychosocial benefits and experiences of musical phenomena. Observational field notes of sessions comprising one to ten young people, further triangulated the data collection for IPA analysis. Results: The intervention was challenging yet rewarding for adolescents and composers, reshaping their identification to these roles. It was also found that by appealing to both universal and individual perspectives of musical function and purpose, each group transcended personal process and routine. Conclusions: This study contributes to research scaffolding the nexus between the arts and healthcare industries and provides a platform for further study. Furthermore, it promotes the value of collaborative music making as a healing tool for positive identity and development.