There’s not much left to be said about Michael Jackson that hasn’t been said already in the wake of his death. When I heard the news, I – like most people – found it hard to digest. MJ is an American icon, but he was human, too…something we tend to forget when it comes to ultra celebrities like him. No matter how he lived his personal life, nothing can change the fact that he was a phenomenal entertainer whose fame and influence spanned multiple generations.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Michael Jackson’s music over the past two weeks, and it’s been fun revisiting the songs that I loved so much as a child. I caught the last hour or so of his memorial service today, and I just have to share with you what I thought was the most emotionally moving musical performance of all:
I’ll never forget performing “Heal the World” as a third grader in my elementary school musical, We’re Gonna Have an Earth Day. The show itself was cheesy, but the feeling that I had when we sang that as a choir came rushing back as I watched today’s rendition during the memorial. There’s no questioning Michael Jackson’s profound effect on the world, and the fact that he will be missed.
I know the Fourth of July has passed, but I decided to write this post anyway. After all, the holiday weekend isn’t over yet and next to celebrating our country’s independence and those who protect it, fireworks are a central feature of the Fourth. In fact, I can’t recall a single Independence Day when I didn’t attend at least one patriotic display. You can find them all over our city, from the park to downtown to neighbor’s front yards, and despite the inclement weather, this year was no exception.
I think fireworks deserve their own place in the “Counting Time” collection, and my students agree. We have been counting them for the last week or so, along with flags, suns and ice cream comes. You know the tune by now, so go ahead and sing along:
Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little fireworks in a row,
Now let’s count them nice and slow:
How many fireworks?
Ten little fireworks.
All lined up in a row!
Hope you had the chance to enjoy some fireworks in your neck of the woods, and that you have the opportunity to relax on this lazy Sunday (which is exactly what I’m doing). Bye for now!
Today’s Friday Fave is a little different from those I’ve posted in the past. Before I get to the “fave” part, there are some not-so-pleasant facts I need to share…here goes.
The state of Illinois is facing some pretty devastating budget cuts that would drastically reduce or eliminate many statewide social services. The long list of agencies and organizations that would be affected provide services for millions of people, many of whom are children with disabilities.
The Hope Institute for Children and Families provides residential and educational services to children with multiple disabilities, and it is on that list. I have been ensured that my job as music therapist is not in danger, but some of the children at our school might not be so lucky. It these cuts are not restored, services for many of our students may not be funded and they might be sent home. An incredibly alarming scenario, not just for Hope but for the parents and students who depend on the care that Hope provides.
But everyone at Hope, and those involved with the other social service agencies in Illinois, has faith that doors will not be shut and children will not be denied the support upon which they depend. And that brings me to the “fave” part of this otherwise somber post, which is community support.
I have been amazed at the efforts of our community here in Springfield and across the state to stop these devastating cuts from ocurring. Two weeks ago a huge rally at the capitol building was organized, and many social service organizations united to show our legislators just how dedicated they are to what they do, and how far they are willing to go to keep doing it.
Letter-writing and telephone campaigns have been in effect since the budget cuts were announced, and through the beauty of email, Facebook, and Twitter, I’ve watched as people have responded and participated in such campaigns, whether or not they are affiliated with an affected social service agency. What a beautiful thing.
The legislators won’t be in session again for another two weeks, so it could be a while before we have any definite answers about the future of Illinois. But I am sure that in the meantime, the community will continue to write letters to the editor, email and call their representatives and senators, and so on. And that makes me proud to be a part of it, despite our sad political state.
For more information about the Hope Institute and how it could be affected by the budget crisis, visit their Facebook page.
Holy cow, already? It still feels as though summer is just getting started. Regardless, the beginning of July is one of the highlights of the summer, and the fun begins today with a brand-new song of the month. (Actually, I wrote it last July…but it’s new to you!)
Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.
Wave your flag, way up high,
Celebrate the fourth of July.
Let’s all wear red, white, and blue,
Fireworks for me and you!
CHORUS
Independence is the word,
Patriotic songs are heard.
Let’s join in and sing out loud,
For our country we are proud.
CHORUS
Summer’s coming to a peak,
It gets hotter every week.
Hear the crickets chirp at night,
Until the morning sun shines bright.
CHORUS
What are your plans for the 4th of July? And do you have any festive songs to go along with this patriotic holiday? If so, please share :) July is already off to a busy start for me – my best friend is coming to town today, I’m playing at a new venue on Friday, and of course, Saturday will be filled with food, fun, and fireworks. The perfect trifecta, if you ask me.
Happy Birthday to me! I actually celebrated my 26th several weeks ago, but my husband’s gift didn’t arrive until Monday. To be honest, I haven’t been able to put it down since…but at least I’ve been putting it to good use! I thought this would be a perfect topic for Friday Faves, so read on to find out how the iPhone has become an integral part of my life as a music therapist.
1. Calendar Until now, I’ve had your basic, run-of-the-mill flip phone that doesn’t do much besides make calls and send texts. It did have a calendar feature, but it was nowhere near as user-friendly and helpful as the iPhone’s. Keeping track of my summer schedule – music therapy appointments, lessons, meetings, deadlines, etc. – has never been easier. I can input my events via my computer (and then sync with the phone) or just the phone itself. I can also set an alarm to remind me of events either the day before or the day of.
2. Voice Memos This is a brand new feature on the iPhone, and one that I’ve already come to rely on. As a songwriter, I’m always coming up with song ideas at the most inopportune times. Whether it was in the car, at the grocery store, or what have you, I was constantly forgetting melodies and lyrics I couldn’t record or write down in time. Not anymore! Now I just pull out my phone, sing or say my idea right into the speaker, and come back to it later.
3. Checklists I don’t know about you, but I’m a list person. My husband is constantly teasing me about the paper lists I keep, written neatly in colored pen and then marked through with squiggle lines when each item is completed. With the checklist application on my phone, I can now keep separate lists for different areas of my life (music therapy, blogging, errands, groceries) and mark items with a check at completion. Simple, but a list-maker’s dream.
4. TweetDeck I’ve written previously about my love for Twitter; now thanks to my iPhone, I can “tweet” on the go and keep up with what my “tweeps” are doing. TweetDeck allows me to view both of my Twitter accounts, and I can update either one right from my phone.
5. Email This is probably the most useful aspect of my iPhone. I’m an email junkie, so having constant access is a real thrill. I can receive and send messages from all three of my accounts, and my phone is kind enough to alert me when I have a delivery to my inbox :)
I really could keep on going here, but I’d hate to bore you. The bottom line is that the iPhone allows me to stay connected, organized, and productive amidst the wonderful chaos that is my daily life. What did I ever do without it? (just kidding…kind of.)
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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There’s not much left to be said about Michael Jackson that hasn’t been said already in the wake of his death. When I heard the news, I – like most people – found it hard to digest. MJ is an American icon, but he was human, too…something we tend to forget when it comes to ultra celebrities like him. No matter how he lived his personal life, nothing can change the fact that he was a phenomenal entertainer whose fame and influence spanned multiple generations.
