This resource explores fascinating new avenues in music therapy. The author discusses connections between music therapy and theorizes that every little nuance found in nature is part of a dynamic system in motion. She also shows how everything is inter-related and addresses how music is able to touch people in a deep and consequentially healing way. This complex interaction results in what the author terms "Soulmaking", or the ability of music to heal what makes us vital, whole, alive, and balanced. Crowe draws upon her 25 years of experience as a music therapist to flesh out her theory of soulmaking, providing concrete examples of the effect music can have on a wide range of patients with diseases as varied as Alzheimer's and Down's Syndrome. She also addresses the four facets of human functioning: mind, body, emotion, and spirit and shows how music can touch them all.

"...I recommend reading this book. Crowe breaks down some difficult ideas so that anyone can understand them, and this makes her book a must-read." - Music Educators Journal, November 2006

"Bringing in aspects of disciplines as diverse as neuroscience, sociology, acoustics, education, and complexity science, Crowe (director of music therapy, Arizona State U.) simultaneously seeks to explain why music therapy is effective and to formulate a philosophy of music therapy. She rejects a completely empirical approach, preferring to conceptualize her philosophy as "music and soulmaking," wherein soul "is our experience of ourselves, and, as such it is dynamic, malleable, and ever growing and changing" and music "is a fundamental, holistic experience that impacts functioning in all areas-body, mind, emotion, and spirit." She offers descriptions of how music impacts each of these areas, followed by a presentation of her new model for music and healing (or "soulmaking")." - Reference and Research Book News