Perception

I received this in an email from a friend yesterday, and I thought it was too good not to share with all of you. It really does make you think…what would your reaction have been?

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made….. How many other things are we missing?

Life is too short for a long story.

From the Blogosphere to Your Bookshelf

Today’s announcement has been over a year in the making, and I have been bursting at the seams to share it with you all. Listen and Learn: Educational songs for school, home, and play is a songbook containing 24 of my most popular songs, and it is now on sale! Listen and Learn’s debut songbook includes the melody line and chords for songs that address goal areas such as counting, daily care, directions, transitions, friendships, and more along with activity suggestions for each one. It was developed for other music therapists, educators, parents, or anyone who works with children.

This came about last fall, when Michelle Erfurt, MT-BC, came across my blog. She lived in the Orlando area at the time, where I just happened to be planning a visit for a friend’s wedding. We met up while I was in town, and that is when Michelle proposed the idea to collaborate on a Listen and Learn songbook. From that point on, we communicated via phone and email as I wrote and prepared the music, which she then edited and published through her company, Erfurt Music Therapy.

We will be hosting a display table at the American Music Therapy Conference in San Diego next week, where other music therapists can purchase Listen and Learn: Educational songs for school, home, and play at a discounted conference price of $25, which includes a free supplemental CD of all 24 songs. The best part is that this conference price will also be available to YOU (and anyone else who would like to purchase the book) through November 22. After that, the regular price, Book $25/CD $10, will go into effect. You can purchase the book by following the link in the sidebar, and you’ll also find it in my store.

Michelle and I will be talking more about Listen and Learn: Educational songs for school, home, and play (among other things) on Janice Harris’ “Music Therapy Radio Show” this Saturday at 4 pm CST. Follow this link to listen live on the internet, and you can even call in to ask questions during the show. That number is (646) 652-2850. If you miss it on Saturday, you can find it on iTunes or by following this link.

If you have any questions about the book, do not hesitate to send me an email! I couldn’t be more excited about Listen and Learn’s leap to the page, and I hope you are, too.

On Your Mark…Get Set…Go!

That is how I felt when I woke up on Sunday and realized it was November already. This very well might be the busiest month I’ll have all year, and I’m reminded of that as I make mental to-do lists all day long! This week alone, I have a performance, a guest stint on the Music Therapy Radio Show, countless songs to record, and an exciting announcement to make (tomorrow!).

So it doesn’t help matters that I’m currently without a singing voice. Why is it that laryngitis hits at the worst possible time, year after year? But I’m praying that it returns in full force by Friday, or even sooner if I’m lucky. Until then, I will be hiding in my office at school, working on the presentations I have coming up in the next two weeks.

How is your November going so far? Are you already thinking about Thanksgiving and the advent of the holiday season? I would be lying if I said I wasn’t…and I would also be lying if I said I hadn’t loaded the old Christmas playlist back onto my iPod :) Call me crazy, but I just can’t resist! But don’t worry: I won’t broach that topic here at Listen & Learn for another few weeks. Let’s start by refreshing our memories with the “November” song:

For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.

For thirty days November’s here
And Election Day will come.
Grown-ups will go to cast their votes
There will be a celebration for some.

For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.

For thirty days November’s here
And next comes Veteran’s Day
We’ll remember those who served
And home from school we’ll stay.

For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.

For thirty days November’s here
And then comes Thanksgiving Day.
While we eat turkey and pumpkin pie
We’ll be thankful in our own way.

For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.

Happy November! Now go enjoy your day, and send good singing vibes my way, if you please. My students and I thank you!