Release Day
It’s finally here! Well, actually it’s here:
Follow the link to read all about it and download the album. It’s free, or you can choose to pay what you wish.
No more waiting…go, go, go!
No more waiting…go, go, go!
Friday Fave: My First Review!
When I mailed out the preorders of my new CD on Tuesday, I expected for them to arrive either today or tomorrow, which is the official release day. So I was incredibly surprised when I received an email from one preorder customer last night, telling me that her copy had arrived on Thursday!
It is so fitting that my first review comes from Sandie, a Listen & Learn reader who has also become a friend and great source of encouragement over the last year or so. Sandie is a mother to Matthew, who was born with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC). Matthew absolutely loves music and has a growing collection of Listen & Learn CDs at home. You can read more about Matthew at Sandie’s wonderful blog.
Her email was as follows:
Hi Rachel,
Yesterday we took a day trip to the beach…about 90 minutes away from where we live. On the way to the beach we played some of your CDs in the car. Matthew still really likes listening to your songs. They are just so much fun.
Today (back at home) I heard the screen door to our house opening up this afternoon and wondered if someone was at my door and who it was. So as I peeked out my peephole I saw the mailman slipping envelopes inside my screen door and front door. As he drove off I opened the front door and scooped up the mail. Well, I was really surprised to find an envelope from YOU mixed in with our mail and I knew exactly what it was even though I wasn’t expecting it for a couple days.
Thank you very much for the CD and for the picture of you with the sweet note you wrote. It was so kind of you and it is very special. I am going to put it in a frame. We listened to your CD and it’s so wonderful!
Matthew signed “shoes” each time that you would sing the word “shoes” in “My Clothes and Shoes” song. He also really liked listening to the “Clean Up Song” and when it was over he made a happy “whooo whooo” sound and was excited. The songs are really great, Rachel.
I think my favorite is “Clothes and Shoes” but need to listen a few more times since they are all so good. I’m not sure which songs is Matthew’s favorite yet but will let you know. I think it just may be the one where he “whooo whooo’d” :)
I especially like how some of the songs have such a beautiful message that speaks to a person’s sense of self esteem and feeling good about who they are. We will definitely be listening to the CD a lot more and will still be playing the other CDs you’ve made for Matthew too. Congratulations, Rachel on your brand new CD!!
I hope that you have an absolutely wonderful CD celebration party on July 11th. And, thank you very much. :)
Sandie & Matthew
As I explained to Sandie in response to her email, it’s a bit scary putting so much of yourself into something (in this case, the music) and then sending it out into the world for others to experience. So to read her words and know that the songs are doing just what I had intended was a huge thrill – not to mention, a big relief!
I hope that the rest of you enjoy Time to Sing Hello as much as Sandie and Matthew have. Tomorrow you’ll be able to listen to all of the songs and download the album for yourselves. I’m so excited to finally share it with you.
Happy July!
Any other summer, I’d most likely tell you how bummed out I am that July is already here. But not this year! I have so much to look forward to this month that I’m not even thinking about the fact that summer is one-third of the way over. (Okay, maybe the thought has crossed my mind…however, I choose to ignore it.)
In the next four weeks, I will be: attending my best friend’s engagement party, traveling to Indianapolis for a 4th of July wedding, releasing my album, throwing a big CD release party, and giving a music therapy presentation at a big conference. Whew!
Back in June I re-recorded all of my Months of the Year songs, and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to share one with you at the start of a new month. (You can download the entire album, which comes with all 12 songs + instrumental tracks + lead sheet songbook here.)
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!
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.
Independence is the word,
Patriotic songs are heard.
Let’s join in and sing out loud,
For our country we are proud.
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.
Summer’s coming to a peak,
It gets hotter every week.
Hear the crickets chirp at night,
Until the morning sun shines bright.
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.
What are you up to this July? Any big vacations or 4th of July parties planned? My students have been filling me in on their holiday weekend plans, and they all sound like so much fun. Whatever your plans may be, I hope you start the month off right by enjoying this gorgeous summer day. Clap your hands ’cause it’s July!
Time to Sing Hello: Sneak Peek #2
Now that there are only 10 days remaining until the release of Time to Sing Hello, I’m more anxious than ever to share it with you. First came the cover art and “My Clothes and Shoes” (admittedlly, my favorite track); today’s preview includes the actual CD art and the final song on the album.
“Time to Say Goodbye” was written for children who struggle with separation anxiety and need the constant reminder that goodbyes don’t have to be stressful. So many of my students fall into this category, especially those with autism spectrum disorders. The song is mellow and calming, which I think provides the perfect ending to an album made up mostly of upbeat tunes.
I began accepting preorders for hard copies of the CD yesterday, and have been overwhelmed with the response thus far! I guess many of you agree with me that although digital downloads are incredibly convenient, there’s just something about receiving a pretty, full-color album in the mail (shipping is free) along with extra goodies (from yours truly). More about all of that here.
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m really excited for July 10 to arrive! And possibly even more excited for July 11, the day of my CD Release Party (including an interactive performance especially for children and reception). Your family is invited; if you live in the central Illinois area and would like to come, RSVP right here on Facebook.
Set to Music: The Pledge of Allegiance
As the Fourth of July approaches, I’m probably not the only one with patriotic themes on the brain. Songs like “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” are being sung and taught to children all over the country this week, and I know that my own students are hard at work learning the Pledge of Allegiance.
In fact, the occupational therapist at my school emailed me a couple of weeks ago, asking if I had any songs or resources for teaching the Pledge. I didn’t at the time…but I do now!
I came up with a simple rhythmic line, and that serves as my foundation for the chant and song I created to teach the Pledge of Allegiance. Listen below as I speak it in rhythm, and then download (for free) the rhythmic line for your own use.
I pledge allegiance, to the flag
Of the United States of America.
And to the republic for which it stands,
One nation, under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.
Next, I came up with a super simple melody on top of the rhythmic line, which I orchestrated with trumpets. Here is my sung version:
And here is the same track, only without my vocals. You can download (again, for free) the instrumental track for yourself:
When I was in elementary school, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was part of our classroom’s morning routine. Nowadays, most schools don’t do this, but there are other times at which a child might need to know it. It doesn’t hurt to learn, especially when it’s done through music!
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