by Rachel | Uncategorized
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.
by Rachel | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized
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.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
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.)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Yes, me and every 12-18 year old girl out there. But let’s be honest: it’s hard not to. She’s talented (writes her own songs, plays the guitar, performs live) and wholesome, which are both rare in the world of popular music. Her music is fun and catchy, and it appeals to people of all ages with different tastes.
But her targeted audience just happens to be the stream of tween and teen girls that come to my studio for voice lessons each week. And when I ask them what kind of music they like and want to learn, they inevitably answer, “Taylor Swift.”
There is a school of voice instructors that frowns heavily upon teaching popular music, not to mention – gasp! – country music. I should know; every single one of my voice teachers throughout my education hailed from this school. But it is for this very reason that I never even considered enrolling there. I spent many, many years learning songs I couldn’t stand because they were songs I needed to know.
The difference between the lessons I took and the lessons I teach is that while I still insist upon teaching those need-to-know songs, I make sure to devote time in each lesson for what my students wants to sing. Tackle “Caro Mio Ben” and then we’ll take on “Popular Song of the Moment”. This has been my modus operandi since I first began teaching, and it works. My students are happy, their parents are happy, and that combined makes me ecstatic.
This month, Taylor Swift is the shining star – what almost every one of my voice students works toward at the end of her lesson. It’s artists like her who inspire these girls to pursue singing, after all.
by Rachel | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized
I tell you what, us Midwesterners get the worst of both winter and summer weather; we’re experiencing the latter right about now. And to think — it’s only June! Luckily, I have the perfect song for such a time:
The sun is shining down from the sky,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
The temperature is up real high,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sittin’ in the shade in a nice cool chair.
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Runnin’ through the sprinkler without a care.
We’re wearing sandals, and short-sleeved shirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
Boys wearing shorts, and girls wearing skirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sippin’ lemonade through a plastic straw,
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Hummin’ a tune that goes “la la la la!”
This song perfectly describes a day like today. One of my piano students is having a birthday party this afternoon featuring water balloons and slip ‘n slides…I have a feeling that after walking the dog, I’ll wish I was at that party!
