E. Thayer Gaston

Everett Thayer Gaston (July 4, 1901 – 1970) was a psychologist active in the 1940s-1960s who helped develop music therapy in the United States. He worked at the University of Kansas, as Professor of Music Education and Director of Music Therapy.

Gaston was named to the Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1986.^[1]

Views

1. Music is a means of nonverbal communication deriving potency from its wordless meaning.
2. Music is the most adaptable of the arts being utilized with individuals, groups, and in various locations.
3. Through participation or listening, music may lessen feelings of lonesomeness.
4. Music elicits moods derived from emotions and has the capability of communicating one’s good feeling for another.
5. Music can dissolve fears of closeness because its nonverbal nature allows an intimacy that is nonthreatening.
6. Music, in most cases, is sound without associated threat.
7. The shared musical experience can be a form of structured reality upon which the therapist and the patient can form a relationship with some confidence.
8. Musical experiences possess an intimacy because listeners and performers derive their own responses from each musical experience.
9. Preparation and performance of music can bring about a feeling of accomplishment and gratification.^[2]

References