Message from IAMM’s President 2021

Dear colleagues, students, and friends, 

At this season of holidays and hope for the new year, and on behalf of all of the volunteers who make the International Association for Music & Medicine a vibrant organization, I wish you greetings of peace, wellness, and fulfillment. The world is a fragile place, and the dangers of the pandemic still lurk worldwide. Yet you who are devoted to music and medicine are applying your musical abilities and creativity to make the world more beautiful and to serve people who are suffering or are in need. 

Those of you who have participated in IAMM events are shining examples Thank you to all who have contributed to IAMM Insights or IAMM With You: In Conversation, published your papers in IAMM’s official journal, Music & Medicine or on IAMM’s blog, participated in Special Interest Groups, gave book talks for IAMM’s Summer Book Club, or took part in IAMM’s Global Cafés. Your knowledge and expertise enlightened us through the year. Of course, you who serve on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Task Forces, and IAMM committees deserve special acknowledgment and commendation for your guidance and leadership. Your many contributions allow IAMM to gather the latest wisdom regarding music and medicine/health and communicate it globally.

At this time, I would like to invite you to propose your research, clinical work, theories, and educational models for IAMM’s 7^th International Conference. You do not need to attend the in-person event in Athens, Greece (May 28-29, 2022) to present at the online portion of the conference (May 30- June 3, 2022), and we realize the precarious nature of international travel at this time. Whatever the venue, we pledge to create an inclusive and welcoming community for respectful dialogue and collaboration between individuals of different professions and from various cultures, abilities, and backgrounds. In the spirit of giving access to all, we have maintained current IAMM membership costs, offered low conference registration fees, and provided plentiful scholarships.

To all of you who have enjoyed reading Music & Medicine and the IAMM blog, or attended events, I hope that you will continue to be an active participant in IAMM. You are the people who apply music in the service of health, medicine, and wellbeing – You are the people who offer beauty and awe at times of uncertainty – You are the people who are committed to fill the lives of others with salubrious music. 

We are IAMM and may we all work to make 2022 a year of harmony, inspiration and togetherness!

In peace,

Suzanne B. Hanser, EdD, MT-BC

President, International Association for Music & Medicine