Free Download: “Little Red Apples”
This is one of many counting songs I’ve written, which focuses on counting both up to 5 and down from 5. I created simple apple visual aides (using red construction paper and then laminating) which my students can then manipulate as we count.
Click here to download the mp3 and lyrics/chords.
P.S. If you want access to my entire collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music, consider joining me over at Listen & Learn Plus!
Back from the Big Apple
After a canceled flight, hours spent in an endless airport line, and a last-minute hotel stay, I’m finally home! Aside from the travel drama, I had an awesome weekend in NYC with my best friend, Katie. We had perfect weather for brunching, shopping, and walking around the city, among other things.
On Saturday night, we saw the Broadway show Promises, Promises, starring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes, who played Jack on Will & Grace. The show was great – lighthearted and fun, just how I like them. Afterwards, we waited outside the theater in the hopes that we’d see the famous cast.
Sean was so nice; he came out, talking to everyone and signing autographs. He wouldn’t pose for photos, but Katie was able to capture the two of us in the same frame. Such talent!
Kristin Chenoweth was still not feeling well, so she didn’t mingle with the crowd. But we did meet Tony Goldwyn, who was in the show and is best known for his role as the “bad guy” in the movie Ghost.
When we weren’t rubbing elbows with celebrities, we did manage to find the perfect bridesmaid dress for Katie’s wedding (and several promising dresses for her, too). It was fun to spend a few days in the city with someone who lives there; I didn’t feel like a total tourist, for once.
But enough vacation talk…tomorrow is my last day of school and I have SO MUCH left to do before summer break begins at 3 pm. Eeek!
Friday Fave: Memorial Day Weekend
This weekend is, first and foremost, a time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the military. But for many people (including me), it is also the unofficial kick-off of summer. Even though I have two days of school left next week, it still feels like summer begins tomorrow.
That might just be because I’m going on a mini-vacation this weekend! The destination is New York City, and it will actually be my second trip to the Big Apple already this year (read about my first one here). But this time I’m leaving the hubby behind and meeting up with my best friend Katie for a girls’ weekend. She’s getting married next year, and since I’m the Maid of Honor, I have the privilege of helping her find a wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.
So that will be our top priority, but we also have a few other fun plans. Those include seeing Sean Hayes (of Will & Grace fame) and Kristin Chenoweth in the Broadway musical Promises, Promises, hitting up a few tourist destinations, and meeting up with another good friend who lives in the city. I’ll have a full report when I return on Tuesday!
What are your plans for Memorial Day weekend? I hope you’re doing something fun, exciting, and/or restful, depending on your mood. Be safe and enjoy!
The End is Near…
The end of the school year, that is! There are a few big events at the school where I work which signify that summer break is upon us. One of those events happened just yesterday and is my very favorite of the whole year.
It doesn’t get much better than having all of the students faculty, and staff gathered in one place, singing the songs we’ve been working on in music therapy all year. And better yet, I have a full band! With Mike on bass, Joe on guitar, and Jayne (who unfortunately is not pictured; she is to the right of me) on drums, our songs get quite the rock ‘n roll treatment.
But the fun’s not over yet. Tomorrow morning, our graduation ceremony will be held in the very same room. Graduation is always a bittersweet event; as happy as I am for the students, I’m still sad to see them go. This year I’ll be singing “For Good” (from the musical Wicked) during the ceremony.
Next Wednesday is our last day of school, and in the afternoon we’ll have our annual talent show. It’s always so entertaining to watch not only students and entire classes, but also various faculty and staff, get up on stage and show off their dancing, singing, and instrument-playing talents. A couple of classrooms will be performing music therapy “hits” – an awesome choice of repertoire, if you ask me :)
So that’s what is going on around here. Now I must get to something I’ve been putting off all month…creating summer song packets and CDs for each class. Although there will be a sub (not a music therapist, but a music teacher who is very skilled in working with my student population) taking over for the summer, I still like to leave materials behind so that the teachers can continue reinforcing the skills and concepts we’ve spent all year learning. Plus, I don’t want everyone to forget me while I’m away!
Anywhere, Anytime
I’ve been working closely with one of my school’s speech therapists for the last couple of months, and the other day she came to me with a new song idea. She told me that she was sitting in church, singing the African American spiritual “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” with the rest of the congregation, when she realized that it would make a great tune for our students.
The three things she always reminds the kids to do are: listen, work, and practice. Those three words are the basis of this adapted song, and they really do apply to most things in our kids’ lives. Whether it’s a skill they are learning at school, a chore they are responsible for at home, or even a fun new experience such as riding a bike, all of those things require listening, working, and practicing.
I’m gonna listen so I can learn more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna listen, so I can learn more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna work so I can do more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna work so I can do more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna practice so I can be more,
Anywhere and anytime.
I’m gonna practice so I can be more,
Anywhere and anytime.
How could you apply this song to your own students’ lives? I’m thinking of singing it with my piano students at the end of each lesson, especially those who often “forget” to practice!
Sunday Singalong: Ready, Set, Wait!
I really wanted to film this week’s video outside, but unfortunately my cameraman (aka my husband) was taking a nap after a long day of yard work and soccer. My usual studio setting will have to do for today, but there will be more outdoor videos in the near future!
I chose “Ready, Set, Wait!” (read more and download it here) as this week’s song because first of all, it’s been awhile since I actually sang one of my own Listen & Learn songs in a Sunday Singalong video. Second, I’ve been singing it a lot lately with my kiddos, and I always get such a positive response. Third, I just really like it! Hope you do, too.
If you have a song in mind for next week’s video, let me know. If I choose your suggestion, you get a free album download of your choice.
Tomorrow begins the last full week of school before…summer break! It’s also my last full week of music therapy and lessons for my private practice, after which we’ll have a two-week break. I’m kicking off my mini-vacation with a Memorial Day weekend trip to New York City, but before I get to that, I have a very busy five days ahead. Ready, set, GO!
Friday Fave: Episode 4 of Our Podcast
The Music Therapy Round Table is a monthly podcast series hosted by myself, Kimberly S. Moore, and Michelle Erfurt. In case you haven’t already read the back-story, here’s a recap: Michelle and I met back in 2008 after she visited my blog. Kimberly and I met in mid-2009 through Twitter. The three of us came together for the first time at the AMTA national conference in San Diego last year, and decided to collaborate on a new podcast centered around music therapy. We recorded our first episode via Skype back in February, and now here we are, three months (and three episodes) later.
In Episode 4, we discuss a topic every single therapist will have to deal with: change. Whether moving to a new studio, moving out-of-town, or going on maternity leave, what’s the most appropriate way to handle these major life transitions with your clients? Listen in as we share stories of how we handled change and discuss things that helped us and our clients. You can either listen directly on our blog, or find us on iTunes and download the episodes to your iPod or iPhone.
We make this announcement in the episode, but I also thought I’d share with you here that at this year’s AMTA national conference, the three of us will be presenting a 5-hour CMTE (that stands for “continuing music therapy education” for you non-MTs) course on the topic of using the internet and social media for business and advocacy. We’re super excited about this opportunity – it’s a big one!
So if you haven’t already, check out our podcast. Oh, and while we’re on the subject of podcasts, I should mention two others that I’d recommend. Janice Harris’ Music Therapy Show and Wade Richards’ Time for Music Podcast are excellent, so check them out as well!
Stop, Think and Do
The teachers at my school often ask me to write very specific songs to enhance their classroom lessons. After all, my job as a music therapist is to support each classroom’s progress toward established goals and objectives. Last month I was asked to write a song featuring the phrase “stop, think and do”. This is a motto in our classroom for students with behavioral issues; they are encouraged to go through this process in any situation which could possibly result in making a bad decision.
I wanted this song to be an interactive experience for the students; not only does it remind them to follow those three steps, but I also provide opportunities to share situations in which the process was successful for them. I’ll explain further after you have a chance to listen and read the lyrics:
Well there are three little words I wanna say to you:
Stop, think and do.
Before you take action, every time, it’s true,
Stop, think and do.
Stop moving and pause, and think it through,
And then you can do (doot-do-doot-do).
When you’re angry, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re angry, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
When you’re upset, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re upset, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
When you’re hurting, you need to make a good choice.
Stop, think and do.
When you’re hurting, you need to use your voice.
Stop, think and do.
CHORUS
Situations in which a student is feeling angry, upset, or hurt are the most important times to “stop, think and do”. After each verse, I invite the class to share a time when they felt that particular emotion, followed he steps, and made a good decision. This is a group of students that love to talk, so I give them plenty of time to do so in a structured manner. (We begin each music therapy session with “Share Something Positive” and wrap it up with “Compliments” just before the goodbye song.)
I think turning these types of phrases into songs increases their effectiveness, especially if children listen to and sing them on a regular basis. Do you have any phrases similar to “stop, think, and do” that are frequently used in your classroom, therapy sessions, or your own home? It just might be my next song topic – so please share!
Friday Fave: Champions for Children
I write frequently about children with special needs and the work I (and all of you professionals and parents) do to make their lives better. But today I want to talk about another group of children: those who have been sexually and physically abused. This is somewhat of a taboo topic in our society, because people don’t want to think about the fact that this kind of abuse happens. But the sad reality is that it does, and all too often.
April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois is carrying that awareness into May with with weekend’s Champions for Children Walk. Tomorrow morning, people in 27 cities throughout Illinois will walk in support of the 10,500 abused children that Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) serve every year.
Working with law enforcement, medical professionals, and other agencies, CACs offer a safe, child-friendly environment for forensic interviews and medical evaluations of the child victim, and on-going support for children who have been abused, as well as their families. My mom opened the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center here in Springfield just over 20 years ago, and my stepdad is the current executive director. This year, in honor of the Champions for Children Walk, my mom and I collaborated on a song which will serve as the event’s theme. You can listen below, and follow the link to download it for free:
Sometimes I wonder if it matters what I do
Is there anyone who’ll listen, or am I among the few
Who see the pain and hear the cry
And stop to question why?
Rise up and take a stand
Raise your voice, reach out a hand
Be a champion for a child
Speak the words she cannot say
Be the light that she’s been searching for
and give her strength to help her find her way
For a moment stop and wonder
How a child can live in fear
What are they telling us that we cannot hear?
What do they need to ease their pain
the tears that flow like rain?
Chorus
Just think of the changes that we could make
how different our world could be
when silence is broken and their voices are heard
when we open our eyes to see
Chorus
And even though you most likely don’t live in Springfield, or even Illinois, you can “rise up” and be a Champion for Children. How? By sponsoring me in tomorrow’s walk, if you feel so inclined. Any pledge amount, from $1 on up, will go towards the child abuse prevention, education, and direct service to children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse. Pledges can be made by clicking the “make a donation to this group” link at the very bottom of this page.
Although it’s been raining all week, we’ve been blessed with a beautiful forecast for tomorrow’s walk! I’ll be singing “Rise Up” to kick things off, and then it’ll be time to get moving. I can’t wait. Hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend! See you back here on Sunday for this week’s Sunday Singalong video.
Kappa Delta Recognizes Music Therapy
When I found out I was going to be featured in my sorority’s national alumnae magazine a few months back, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been reading the Angelos of Kappa Delta since I graduated from Rollins College in 2004, and am always amazed by the wonderful things that Kappa Delta women across the country are doing. To be amongst such company is a pretty huge honor, if you ask me!
“Bridging the Communication Gap” highlights the work I do as a music therapist here in Springfield, along with another KD alum who uses sign language to help children with disabilities learn to communicate. The article doesn’t mention it, but the picture above was taken during my local alumnae chapter’s Founders Day dinner, for which I wrote and performed an original song.
A special thank you to Kimberly S. Moore, who sent me the article in PDF format. Her mom is a KD alum as well, saw the article, and emailed it to Kimberly. (Small world, huh?) You can download and read it via this link:
Download: Rachel in the Angelos Magazine
Kappa Delta also published a Q&A with me, which covers lots of topics (from my education to my experiences as a KD in college). You can read that here.
Before & After
One of the best decisions I ever made was moving my private practice from “the road” (traveling to my students’ homes) into my own home-based studio. This has allowed me to work with many more students on a daily basis, because no longer do I need to build commute time into my schedule. I can honestly admit that I don’t miss packing my car every morning with the necessary equipment, hauling it in and out of my trunk, and spending all of that extra money on gas.
I love that I have everything I need at my fingertips, especially when an idea strikes in the middle of a music therapy session. I also love that I can neatly organize my materials in advance of my students’ arrival, as evidenced in these photos taken before a recent session:
But as anyone who spends time with children knows all too well, neatness isn’t high on their list of priorities. I’m a self-admitted neat freak, but that flies out the window when I’m working with a child. Half the time, I’m creating most of the mess by bringing out different instruments, visual aides, and other items during our session. I was glad I captured the “before” shots on that particular day, because the “after” scene was just too funny not to document:
My favorite part is the opened drawers…I couldn’t have staged it this well! My student and I used every last one of those instruments and items, and ended up running out of time at the end of our session. Otherwise we’d have put everything back in its place while singing this song :) My next student was a few minutes late, which gave me just enough time to tidy up before his piano lesson. Good thing, because I doubt he’d have appreciated this mess as much as I did!