Final answer:
The claim about the earliest known reference to music therapy in the US being an article in the New York Weekly Magazine is true. Research and personal stories, like those of Thomas Fritz and Robert Gupta, have highlighted the universal language of music and its therapeutic potential. Innovations in the field suggest a growing recognition of music's healing power across different cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest known reference to music therapy in the United States being the article titled "Remarkable Cure of a Fever by Music: An Attested Fact" published in the New York Weekly Magazine is indeed true. The phenomena of music affecting human emotions and health have been a topic of interest and research throughout history. This curiosity has extended into more modern explorations, as evidenced by the work of Thomas Fritz and his team who found that the Mafa tribe of Cameroon, even without prior exposure to Western music, could recognize basic emotions in the music they heard. Such studies underscore the potential of music therapy and its ability to bridge cultural divides, potentially offering benefits where conventional medicine may not reach as effectively.
Famous instances, such as the personal story of Robert Gupta, who found his calling within the interstice of music and medicine, highlight the real-world impact of music therapy. Gupta, caught between becoming a doctor and a violinist, ultimately recognized the profound influence music can have on society's marginalized individuals. Other innovators like Tod Machover from MIT's Media Lab are pushing the boundaries of musical expression, suggesting a future where music's therapeutic applications might be further realized.