SU's Professor Schreibman to compose music therapy major

Professor Janice Schreibman planning her next project. Image courtesy of Matt Wessel.

Professor Janice Schreibman, a music therapist, had a new patient. A small, young girl. She was in the car with her mom, singing Christmas songs, when they were hit by another car. Paramedics resuscitated her on the scene.

The young girl suffered a brain injury. She could not speak or hold up her own head. A severe tremor persisted.

Her hospital bed was surrounded by metal bars to prevent her from falling out. A small window was ensconced by curtains to keep the light out.

Schreibman, armed with music, worked alongside speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists.

She used songs as cues for what was next in the patient’s day, working on vocal inflection. Sesame Street’s “Rubber Duckie” preceded bath time. Feeding-related songs introduced meals.

When the patient was discharged, she was able to speak again. She gifted Schreibman a rubber duckie.

Schreibman continued to work with her in an outpatient program for a few more years. Together they worked on balance, vocal inflection through singing, fine motor skills and more.

The patient is now 30 years old and owns a skincare business.

Now, Schreibman is seeking to make an impact locally by creating a music therapy major at Salisbury University.

Professor Janice Schreibman teaching students. Image courtesy of Matt Wessel.

The degree marries performance and healthcare in which music becomes a vehicle for helping others attain non-musical goals, whether they be social, psychological or something else.

It will require 140 credits and will take participating students 4 ½ years to complete. Music, psychology and biology classes will be offered in tandem with a six-month internship anywhere in the United States.

This isn’t Schreibman’s first rodeo, having established a music therapy degree at the University of Indianapolis in 2017. She says she’s excited to create something from scratch again, a process that began when she graduated as many music therapy institutions were closing.

“I had to think about where I was going to be and how I was going to sell music therapy,” she said. “I enjoyed doing that because every time I did it, I was creating my perfect job for that perfect time.”

Associate Dean of Fulton Chrys Egan feels that the addition of the major will bolster the school’s music program. Egan noted that the classes can help better equip non-major students in their own respective fields.

“If you are in the College of Health and Human Services, and you want to be a social worker, a nurse, doing respiratory therapy, think of how useful this could be,” Egan said. "Knowing the power of music and helping caregivers and patients, you have this incredible tool at your disposal, right?”

Professor Colleen Clark became co-chair of the music, theater and dance department as the creation process began. She said she did not know much about the field and spent a lot of time researching it while helping prepare course syllabi and presenting content to the state.

“I’m just super excited our students are going to get to do it,” Clark said. “It was really cool to read all the hard science of how music can actually change the brain.”

She thinks the program will attract many new students, but that may pose a challenge.

“Professor Schreibman is one person,” Clark said. “So, we might have growing pains in the future, depending on how fast the program grows [we will] probably need more faculty and some other resources.”

There are steps left until the major is fully established, like pending accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music.

Major-related classes are being taught, and auditions are being held for next year. Schreibman feels the department is ready to prepare students for a career in the field.

“I think the students who choose to come to Salisbury University will get a very tailored, unique experience, not just with the music therapy courses, but with all the faculty,” Schreibman said. “We are a small department.

“We care about the students who come here, and we really work with people who help them realize their goals.”

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By MATT WESSEL

Staff Writer