Bongo Drums and a Misunderstanding: An Exploratory Study on the Constraints of Growing a Music Therapy Business in a Midwestern Community

Abstract

Quad Cities Music Therapy is a small business providing music therapy and music enrichment services in the Quad Cities. Despite an overall positive growth trajectory, QCMT has experienced disproportionate growth between its music enrichment and music therapy programs. This study sought to identify constraints to growing a music therapy business in the Quad Cities by exploring perception, awareness, and other potential areas that may prohibit growth. This study was also conducted with the desire to share results with the broader music therapy profession to help provide a framework for other MT-BCs to begin exploring these topics in their own communities. Our investigation used an exploratory design with a mixed methods approach. Data collection included content analysis, a community survey of perception, awareness, and constraints, and expert interviews with eight experienced Music Therapists – Board Certified. Our findings indicate that 1) the Quad Cities offers a robust market for the growth of a music therapy business, 2) respondents generally have a positive perception of music therapy but limited or inaccurate perception and awareness of music therapy practice with some statistically significant variance among different groups of independent variables; 3) the cost of music therapy may prohibit some organizations from seeking services; 4) growing a music therapy business is a complex task that requires a diverse set of capacities. We recommended that QCMT 1) address perception and awareness in the Quad Cities market; 2) leverage the positive perception and untapped potential in the market by increasing strategic partnerships that can also provide diverse funding sources; and 3) determine areas of specialization aligned with feedback from the QCMT market.