American Music Therapy Association

Many, if not most of us, look for a good deal or how to make our funds last longer. We might look at a workshop, conference or symposium and choose a registration rate based on how much content is of interest. While that is a valid way of shopping, consider thinking differently when registering for the AMTA Symposium.

Once a year the AMTA Book Store opens up to the wider community with this 30% discount available to AMTA members and non-members on publications in the AMTA book store. Why not take advantage of the sale and stock up on books or even just that one book you have been wanting.

The AMTA Book Sale starts next Monday, August 26th for just 1 week. Everything** is 30% off for members AND non-members alike. If you are a student this is a great opportunity to purchase your course books. For professionals, budgets are tight, take advantage of this one week book sale.

Did you know that the AMTA Symposium offers 36 pre-approved CMTEs including ethics? Did you know you have access to the recorded content through February of 2025?

Interested in attending the 2024 AMTA Symposium but not sure it is in your budget? Thanks to the Anne Emory Kyllo Scholarship Fund**, AMTA is very pleased to offer 42 scholarships for professionals in need which will be distributed in the order that they are requested. Since the Symposium announcement last week several of the 42 have been awarded already.. We expect them to be fully awarded in the next couple of weeks. Don’t wait or hesitate! If you are a professional in need, apply today for a scholarship to attend the 2024 AMTA Symposium, September 22-25, 2024.

Registration is now open for the 2024 AMTA Online Symposium, September 22-25, 2024 The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is hosting the 3rd Annual Online Symposium designed to provide high-quality and informative content for music therapists in the USA and abroad. Over the 4-day symposium both live and asynchronous sessions are provided with the potential of up to 36 pre-approved CMTEs including ethics. All registrants will have access to the recorded sessions through February 28, 2025.​

Keeping AMTA members informed about the work of AMTA Government Relations The role of AMTA Government Relations (AMTA GR) is to increase access to quality music therapy services through monitoring and responding to state and federal legislation that impacts music therapy practice and to serve as a direct resource to the regions for both federal and state government relations and advocacy issues. ​

The Illinois General Assembly concluded its Spring Session with a fervor and determination that saw them working well past their intended adjournment on Friday, May 24, at 11:59 pm. The key issue at hand was the state's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Amidst these deliberations, concern grew on Wednesday, May 22, about the legislative Medicaid Omnibus package, which had yet to make its way through the legislative process.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) are excited to announce that on May 28, 2024 Governor Bill Lee signed into law SB 898. This bill creates a music therapy certificate under the Board of Examiners in Psychology and establishes a Professional Music Therapy Advisory Committee to assist the Board in matters concerning the certificate.​

We celebrate our clients, therapists, students, and supporters this World Music Therapy Week, April 10-15. Thank you for your collaboration and commitment to help advance our mission in making quality music therapy services available.

Each year, the AMTA Board of Directors honors two deserving individuals with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2023 recipients are Barbara Else, MPA, MT-BC and Dr. Edward Kahler, MT-BC.

As many know the AMTA Archives is housed at Colorado State University. A scrapbook with mold damage was donated to CSU as part of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) special archive collection. The donor received the scrapbook from Florence Tyson (a music therapist in New York from 1958 and 1995).

Online Scam & Phishing Awareness Online scams and attempts at phishing continue to skyrocket. Be wary of online requests for money, gift cards, personal information, to open an attachment, or respond to a healthcare alert, etc. We have received reports of emails that impersonate leaders of AMTA, offers of free grand pianos and phishing attempts to initiate contacts for private music therapy services.

In 2023, the AMTA Board of Directors, Membership Committee, and Assembly of Delegates worked collaboratively to lower membership rates for music therapy students and retired music therapists as well as create a tier-based membership model for professional music therapists.

Join us for the AMTA Community Update on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 7:00-8:00pm Eastern time. We also invite you to join Board members for a follow up discussion from 8:15-9:00pm Eastern time. You are welcome to submit questions for the discussion by noon Eastern time on October 24.