Imagine a life devoid of music. It's not a pleasant thought.

It's a proven fact that music enriches people's lives. There are many studies and research projects that confirm music enhances spatial-temporal reasoning skills, allowing students to do well in subjects like math and science. Some say listening to classical music while studying helps people retain more of what they're reading.

Music can help a person with a traumatic brain injury increase breath strength, word articulation and self-expression, as is the case with Michelle Knechtges who has been attending music therapy sessions at MSU's School of Music since 1998.

MSU was the first institution in the world to have a school of music therapy. The program started in 1944, and is knowledge-based, clinically driven and tested by research. The fact that we had the first school of this kind represents forward thinking on the part of the university and gives us credibility in an increasingly valuable field.

Among other practices, music therapy is used with cancer patients, people taking pain medication and individuals diagnosed with autism, various impairments, developmental disabilities or mental illnesses.

Not only is the therapy a great opportunity for its recipients, but it's a benefit for the other people involved as well. Being able to help someone through a creative medium such as music is a career that some people only dream of. The fact that we have people who do this every day on campus is a tribute to how unique this university is.

MSU has pioneered a great many different fields, music therapy included. There are now at least 70 universities in the country that offer a degree in music therapy.

Kudos to the students, professors, instructors and others who have worked to keep the program thriving at our university for the past 60 years.