Birthday Boy

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Somebody is turning 27 around here, and it’s not me!  My husband, Zach, who is a whopping five months older than me, will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and the rest of the family and I will be there right along with him.

Although Zach and I have only been married for a year and a half, I’ve been by his side for six birthdays.  He takes the cake for giving the best gifts (birthday, Christmas, or otherwise) but I always tell him that I’m much easier to buy for than he is!  One of the best gifts he’s ever given me (and there are lots from which to choose) was actually for our wedding, when we we were planning the playlist for the souvenir CD that would be given out to all 250+ guests.

We had already decided that the song I wrote for him on Valentine’s Day, Second Chance Dance, would be included, but what I really wanted was to record a song together for the CD.  After lots and lots of coaxing, he finally caved in.  We reworked the lyrics to the song “Anyone Else But You” (the one Ellen Page and Michael Cera sing at the end of the movie Juno).  Zach isn’t a singer, or musical in any way aside from enjoying it, so I was pretty darn proud of the job he did on this song.  Needless to say, his friends and family were more than surprised when they heard it played during the picture slideshow my parents put together for our rehearsal dinner!

I will always treasure this recording, because it’s most likely the only one I’ll ever have of its kind. I couldn’t be luckier to have such a wonderful, funny, supportive husband – he calls himself my #1 fan, though my mom begs to differ – and I hope his 27th year is his best yet!

Currently Covering…

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I found Little Miss Ann by way of iTunes last winter, and immediately fell in love with her song, “Clap For Love” from her CD of the same title.  I try to include at least one fun movement-focused tune in each music therapy session, and this one fits the bill perfectly.  The actions are simple, the language is straightforward and repetitive, and it is easily adapted to include additional or different movements, depending on the student or group with whom I’m working.  Not only do my music therapy students love it, but it has also been a hit with my Church Mice kids, all of whom are typically developing.

In fact, I make sure that all of the songs I write or cover would be appealing to any child, no matter what level of functioning, as well as the adults that accompany them.  If the parents, teachers and other caregivers have to listen to the same song over and over again, they might as well enjoy it…right?


How cute and fun is that?! That is why I think children’s music artists like Little Miss Ann, Justin Roberts, Laurie Berkner, etc. are so popular: they most definitely appeal to their target demographic, but adults like it, too.  And that is what I always strive for with each new tune.  I want to make sure it addresses the targeted goals and objectives properly, and I want it to be universally likable. Hopefully I’m achieving these two goals, at least, most of the time!

Making Friends: A Step-by-Step Song

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One of my favorite things about the holidays was getting to see all my friends who grew up with me in Springfield, but now live far away.  Katie (middle) and I have been friends since we got our identical winter coats mixed up after a show choir performance in the 8th grade.  She was my maid of honor in my wedding, and  she asked me to be hers following her recent engagement.  Jill (right) and I became friends way back in the 5th grade, when we were in a school performance of The Wizard of Oz together.  We were also in each other’s weddings.

These friendships came easily, but for many children, making friends can be a difficult and overwhelming experience.  Most of my students are diagnosed with autism, and social skills are a major area of focus in the classroom and in music therapy.  One of the teachers at my school asked me to write a song about making friends, and why having friends is important.  I kept it basic, using language my students can comprehend, though it can be easily adapted for individual children and social situations.

Step one: wear a smile.
Step two: say hello.
Step three: introduce yourself,
To someone you wanna get to know.
Step four: have a conversation,
Ask a question or two.
Making friends can be so simple,
All you have to do is just be you.

You gotta have friends to make you laugh,
Help you feel better when you are sad.
You gotta have friends to make you smile,
Help you feel calm when you are mad.
You gotta have friends so don’t be shy,
Go out and give it a try,
Anyone would be lucky, ooh-ooh,
To have a friend like you.

REPEAT ALL

I emphasized the importance of “being yourself” because many times, children in general, like adults, try to change certain aspects of themselves – be it their behavior, appearance, mannerisms, etc. – in order to fit in or befriend someone.  Self-esteem is a value that should be encouraged at any given opportunity, and this song is just another one of those opportunities.

This particular tune lends itself to role-playing, either between the student and therapist/teacher/parent or between two or more students.  Work together to establish comfortable conversation starters, appropriate dialogue, and body langauge.  If you were to write a song on this topic, what steps would you add?  If you’ve taught social skills and have any tricks up your sleeve, I’d love to hear about them.

Sunday Singalong: Time to Sing Hello

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You might remember that my New Year’s resolution is to do more of what I’ve already been doing in terms of blogging, projects, and music therapy – to step it up a notch, if you will.  There’s no time like the present to get started, so I’m excited to introduce a new weekly feature here at Listen & Learn Music.

Each week, I will choose a song to sing and play for my “Sunday Singalong” video (which will also be posted on my YouTube channel).  Most of the time it will be one of my own songs, though I am open to sharing covers, as long as it is something I might use in a music therapy session.  I’ll be open to suggestions throughout the week, which you can submit via the comments section of my blog or email.  If I choose the song you suggest, you get a free download of any Listen & Learn album. 

I thought it would be appropriate to feature a hello song as my first “Sunday Singalong” installment, so without further ado, here you go!


What are your thoughts on the new feature?  I’m still a novice at making videos, but I figure this will give me a good excuse to improve my technique.  It will also give me a reason to borrow the Ultra HD Flip Camcorder I gave my mom for Christmas!  So send your feedback my way, and enjoy the last few hours of the weekend.

Merry Karaoke: Home for the Holidays

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That is how our first holiday in our first home looked. It was certainly a white Christmas, and I was hoping to take a similar picture of our new home this year, as we get ready to celebrate our first Christmas in it. Unfortunately, we’ve only had a tiny bit of snow, and it is currently raining cats and dogs, so maybe I’ll get one later in the week.

No matter what the weather, I’m just glad to be staying home for the holidays! I feel very lucky that both of our families are nearby, which means we get to see everyone without having to drive long distances or get on an airplane. And that is why I decided that for today’s “Merry Karaoke” song should reflect this sentiment:

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays,
For no matter how far away you roam –
When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze,
For the holidays – you can’t beat home, sweet home!

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie;
From Pennsylvania folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore;
From Atlantic to Pacific –
Gee, the traffic is terrific!

CHORUS

I met a man who lives in Tennessee and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie;
From Pennsylvania folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore;
From Atlantic to Pacific –
Gee, the traffic is terrific!

CHORUS

What are your plans for the holidays? Will you be staying home, or traveling to see friends and family? No matter what you’re doing, I hope your week is safe, fun, and full of cheer. Today is my first official day of vacation, and I am off to bake cookies. I’ll be back with at least one more installment of “Merry Karaoke” before the week is through…see you again soon!

Merry Karaoke!

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There’s nothing like a little snow and an early Christmas celebration with family to put you in the holiday spirit. As we drove home from my in-laws’ house this afternoon, all I could think about was singing along to some of my favorite Christmas songs, and that is just what I did. In fact, I went one step further by recording one of them, karaoke-style. Cheesy? Yes…but tons of fun! I’ve told you before how much I love the Carpenter’s Christmas Portrait album (remember?) so you shouldn’t be surprised that the song I chose is from that very collection.

Frosted windowpanes,
Candles gleaming inside.
Painted candy canes on the trees.
Santa’s on his way,
He’s filled his sleigh with things.
Things for me and for you.

It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love.
Every song you hear seems to say,
Merry Christmas,
May your New Year dreams come true.
And this song of mine,
In three quarter time,
Wishes you and yours
The same thing, too.

Be on the lookout for one or two more installments of “Merry Karaoke” before the big day, which is quickly approaching! I had a chance to catch up on holiday preparations this weekends – not only did I finally finish my shopping, but I also did all of my wrapping. Cookies is next on the list, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I’m off to curl up on the couch and watch my favorite holiday movie, White Christmas. So long for now!