Date of Defense
12-10-2018
Date of Graduation
4-2019
Department
Music
First Advisor
Jennifer Fiore
Second Advisor
James Bosco
Third Advisor
Kelsey Adriance
Abstract
The following undergraduate honors thesis utilizes the Therapeutic Function of Music (TFM) Plan worksheet conceived by Dr. Deanna Hanson-Abromeit as a template to guide research and analysis for how the musical elements should be structured to support the goal of anxiety reduction for college-aged students. Anxiety is a mental health concern that is prevalent among college students due to the variety of social, environmental, and academic stressors that affect their day-to-day lives. The TFM was established to provide transparency and a common language within the field of music therapy and beyond when discussion the elements of music. Research was conducted in the form of an extensive literature review to complete the TFM worksheet. Using the results from the literature review, the author composed an original piece of music for flute, piano, and cello. The piece was recorded using a Presonus Audio Box iTwo and an M7 Condenser microphone. The song was edited using the Presonus Studio One 3 software. The author and two students from Western Michigan University’s School of Music played the instrumental parts, and a student in his second year of the Multimedia Arts Technology program recorded and edited the piece. The results of this creative honors thesis provide a framework for creating music that will aid in the goal of anxiety reduction.
Recommended Citation
Crusius, Carly, "Research-based Music Composition for Anxiety Reduction" (2018). Honors Theses. 3080.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3080
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation
RefocusThesis-Score_and_Parts.pdf (901 kB)
Score and Parts
Refocus just music copy.wav (37375 kB)
Refocus just music copy
Refocus w all sounds copy.wav (37375 kB)
Refocus w all sounds copy