A Dialogue with Prof. Tony Wigram

Abstract

This article reviews the career and publications of Prof. Tony Wigram. This enables the reader to follow the changing face of British music therapy during the period from its origins to the present day. Through tracking the career of a prominent and internationally renowned UK therapist, it is possible to illustrate the ways in which music therapy has developed since the early days of working towards a professional profile, through the growth of the profile of the profession in a variety of ways, including the long period of work towards national registration. There is consideration of the changes in the topics and nature of publications and research, undertaken in response to the changing environments in which therapist work.

It is anticipated that current practising music therapists will find this review of interest in a number of ways: as a historic record of the growth of the profession seen through the eyes of an active teacher, author and researcher; a resource of great current and future value in terms of the ideas and publications presented across the spread of the UK profession; a springboard from which to view the future.