History of Music Therapy In America

Edwin Atlee writes a medical dissertation in a local American newspaper on the connection of music and medicine.

Samuel Matthews writes a second medical dissertation for a local American newspaper on the connection of music and medicine.

During WWI, soldiers who were badly wounded were taken to hospitals. When their health was not improving, doctors started looking for an additional or alternative method.

In WWII, similar to WWI, soldiers that were badly wounded or "shellshocked" would be put in hospitals. Without improvement, doctors decided to bring in musicians to serenade the patients, which started the trend of using music and medicine for healing in hospitals.

Harriet Ayer Seymour starts the National Foundation for Music Therapy (NFMT).

The very first Music Therapy program at a school was started at Michigan State University in 1944. This led to many other programs which spread the use of medicine and music working hand-in-hand.

The National Association for Music Therapy (NAMT) was formed in 1950. It was a professional organization that was formed by music therapists that worked with veterans, mentally ill, and hearing/visually impaired.

The American Association for Music Therapy (AAMT) was formed in 1971.

The World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) was formed in 1985. It was used to promote Music Therapy all around the globe.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) was formed by the conjoining of NAMT and another Music Therapy organization.