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!
Up and Down
You’ve probably noticed that something has been missing from this blog lately: songs! Yes, the very reason many of you visit Listen & Learn in the first place…so thanks for sticking around despite the lack of new tunes over the last couple of weeks. But that is all about to change, since I’ve been saving a few up in the vault.
“Up and Down” is a song I wrote this summer and just happens to be included in the Listen & Learn Songbook. There are so many ways to describe this concept, that I actually had to cut a few verses from the original! But feel free to add as many of your own as you’d like :)
Balls can bounce
Up and down.
Towards the sky,
Then to the ground.
Balls can bounce
High and low,
Up above and down they go.
Frogs can leap
Up and down.
Into the air
Then to the ground.
Frogs can leap
High and low,
Up above and down they go.
Elevators move
Up and down.
To the top floor
And underground.
Elevators move
High and low,
Up above and down they go.
Birds can fly
Up and down.
Way beyond the trees
And to the ground.
Birds can fly
High and low,
Up above and down they go.
We can jump
Up and down.
Towards the sky,
Then to the ground.
We can jump
High and low,
Up above and down we go.
Speaking of up and down, I have certainly traveled my fair share in both directions over the last week! And it’s not over yet; tomorrow I’m heading south to watch my sister-in-law defend her doctoral thesis, which just happens to be on the topic of neuroscience. I’m already preparing to be blown away!
31 Hours
Starting tonight and going through Saturday afternoon, my local radio station is hosting their 4th annual radiothon to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and St. John’s Children’s Hospital. They will be broadcasting live from the lobby of the hospital, where there will be volunteers manning the phones and families who have been helped by the Children’s Miracle Network stopping by. I’m one of those volunteers, and looking forward to my 3-hour shift on Saturday afternoon as the radiothon winds to a close.
But I was able to donate my time in another way, as well. Each year during the radiothon, they air personal stories from the people who have required services through the Children’s Miracle Network and the hospital. Most of them are hard to hear, and very emotional. But our community needs to hear what kind of care is available should one of their children fall under dire circumstances. The stories are set to music, usually a popular song whose mood suits the gravity of the story.
This year I asked if there was any way I could contribute musically to the cause, and together we came up with the idea to write songs based on the stories themselves. So I sat in as the families told their stories, during which time I got ideas for the corresponding songs. Out of the four stories I heard, I chose two to set to music. They will be played during the radiothon, and I only hope that the families feel that their songs do their stories justice.
That’s the coolest part of being a music therapist, in my opinion. Not only can you work directly with a child, adult, or group of people, but there are infinite ways to use music therapeutically, reaching a wide audience at the same time. This point was driven home for me at the national conference, which I will writing more about in the coming days.
Music Therapy for Children with Disabilities
Can I just tell you how excited I am to be writing to you from Springfield for the first time in over a week? Really, really excited. As much as I love traveling, attending/presenting at conferences, and meeting new people, it feels good to be home. I can’t wait to see all my kiddos today, and get back into the old routine.
But first, I wanted to share with you the information that I presented yesterday at the Illinois State Board of Education’s nonpublic schools conference. It was great to be able to meet teachers and administrators from across the state and educate them about music therapy, and I can’t wait to do it again next year! Below, you can download my handout and slides, both in PDF format.
Download: Music Therapy for Children With Disabilities
It’s funny to think that just a few days ago, I had a completely unfounded fear of public speaking. But I’ve quickly realized that if you’re passionate about your topic, standing up in front of people and sharing information is easy and – I thought I would never say this – fun. I’m already looking for opportunities to present again in the near future!
Music Therapy in the Blogosphere
After five days in warm, beautiful San Diego, I can’t say I was thrilled to come home to the cold, rain-soaked Midwest. But such is life, so here I am, back in Springfield, though I am about to leave and head north to the suburbs of Chicago (where it is undoubtedly colder and rainier). I have one more presentation to make, this time at a conference put on by the Illinois State Board of Education, before I can return my suitcases to storage.
I have had several requests by people who were not able to attend the national music therapy conference to see my presentation, so I am making it available to anyone who is interested. All you have to do is follow the link below to download a handout and my presentation slides, both in PDF form.
Download: Music Therapy in the Blogosphere
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask away. And for those of you who want to hear the full conference scoop? Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon to spill it!
In Honor of Friday the 13th…
Here are 13 highlights of the national American Music Therapy Association conference thus far, in chronological order:
- Arriving in sunny Dan Diego!
- Finally meeting fellow music therapy blogger Kimberly Sena Moore and sharing a conversation-filled dinner.
- Reuniting with Michelle Erfurt and getting to meet her awesome hubby.
- Seeing my songbook in person for the first time. We’re talking squeals of joy!
- Watching people buy aforementioned songbook in front of my eyes.
- Listening to a fascinating lecture about the link between music neuroscience and music therapy. More to come on this later!
- Attending the first ever music therapy tweet-up and meeting some new friends.
- Learning the ins and outs of applying for a national roster internship.
- Having the presenter of that session recognize my name and congratulate me on my aforementioned songbook publication. Too cool!
- Getting together with fellow Illinois State University alumni and faculty and having a blast reminiscing and catching up.
- Eating a delicious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, courtesy of the ISU music department!
- Blogging before bed…gotta get my fix, you know.
- Knowing that my first session doesn’t begin until 9:30 am tomorrow.
There is still much more fun to be had over the next 1.5 days, including my presentation, Music Therapy in the Blogosphere, on Sunday morning. I will continue facebooking and twittering (yes, those are both verbs) throughout it all, so that you can all get in on the conference action!
San Diego Bound!
In just under 24 hours, I will be hopping on a plane and making my way to sunny California for the American Music Therapy Association’s national conference. Though this won’t be quite the sight-seeing San Diego vacation that I enjoyed last spring, it will certainly be a memorable (and educational) experience. This is the first AMTA conference that I’ve ever attended, and not only that, but I am presenting, too. Just trying to make the most of this conference and challenge myself in new ways!
I want to share my experiences and insights with you all during my time in San Diego, so be sure to check back here at Listen & Learn throughout the week for mini posts (and pictures, too!). Also, I will be tweeting and facebooking frequently, so find me on those sites, as well:
Rachel on Twitter
Rachel on Facebook
I can’t wait to meet those of you who will also be attending the AMTA conference, so if you are, make sure to find me there! I will be hosting a Listen & Learn table (alongside Michelle Erfurt) in the AMTA members section of the Exhibit Hall, so please stop by. Oh, and check out my presentation, “Music Therapy in the Blogosphere”, on Sunday morning at 9:15.
See you in San Diego, either face-to-face or via the internet!
The Sound of Hope
A couple of months ago, my students and I had the honor of performing at The Hope Institute’s Celebrity Chef gala, an annual fundraiser held right here on campus. “The Sound of Hope” was a song I wrote especially for the event, and it was included on the souvenir CD I made for the guests. I’ve been meaning to share the song with all of you, and am just now getting around to it! It was inspired by my students, as reflected in the title:
Bells chime and choirs sing,
Dogs bark and phones ring,
Cats meow and birds tweet,
Frogs croak and hearts beat,
The world is full of noise.
But what you hear, well, you have a choice:
We are the sound of hope,
We are the voice of love,
Turn your ear and listen well.
And let it be the bridge
That lets you carry on.
Your song says more than words can tell.
Sometimes the lyrics aren’t clear,
Or the music’s too soft to hear,
That is what makes it your own,
And you are not alone.
Each song has a different name.
But its spirit remains the same:
CHORUS
Life’s a journey,
Take my hand,
Don’t be afraid of the melody.
Music teaches,
Music heals,
And we’re waiting for the whole world to see:
CHORUS
We are the sound of Hope,
We are the sound of love,
And we know that you’re listening well.
So shine your light,
Bright as the sun above,
Your song says more than words can tell.
Your song says more than words can tell.
This song is a lot longer and wordier than the ones my students are used to singing with me, so I was extremely proud of their performance. Just one of the many bright, shining moments I’ve experienced over the last couple of years as a music therapist who gets to work with amazing kids!
Perception
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made….. How many other things are we missing?
Life is too short for a long story.
From the Blogosphere to Your Bookshelf
This came about last fall, when Michelle Erfurt, MT-BC, came across my blog. She lived in the Orlando area at the time, where I just happened to be planning a visit for a friend’s wedding. We met up while I was in town, and that is when Michelle proposed the idea to collaborate on a Listen and Learn songbook. From that point on, we communicated via phone and email as I wrote and prepared the music, which she then edited and published through her company, Erfurt Music Therapy.
We will be hosting a display table at the American Music Therapy Conference in San Diego next week, where other music therapists can purchase Listen and Learn: Educational songs for school, home, and play at a discounted conference price of $25, which includes a free supplemental CD of all 24 songs. The best part is that this conference price will also be available to YOU (and anyone else who would like to purchase the book) through November 22. After that, the regular price, Book $25/CD $10, will go into effect. You can purchase the book by following the link in the sidebar, and you’ll also find it in my store.
Michelle and I will be talking more about Listen and Learn: Educational songs for school, home, and play (among other things) on Janice Harris’ “Music Therapy Radio Show” this Saturday at 4 pm CST. Follow this link to listen live on the internet, and you can even call in to ask questions during the show. That number is (646) 652-2850. If you miss it on Saturday, you can find it on iTunes or by following this link.
If you have any questions about the book, do not hesitate to send me an email! I couldn’t be more excited about Listen and Learn’s leap to the page, and I hope you are, too.
On Your Mark…Get Set…Go!
That is how I felt when I woke up on Sunday and realized it was November already. This very well might be the busiest month I’ll have all year, and I’m reminded of that as I make mental to-do lists all day long! This week alone, I have a performance, a guest stint on the Music Therapy Radio Show, countless songs to record, and an exciting announcement to make (tomorrow!).
So it doesn’t help matters that I’m currently without a singing voice. Why is it that laryngitis hits at the worst possible time, year after year? But I’m praying that it returns in full force by Friday, or even sooner if I’m lucky. Until then, I will be hiding in my office at school, working on the presentations I have coming up in the next two weeks.
How is your November going so far? Are you already thinking about Thanksgiving and the advent of the holiday season? I would be lying if I said I wasn’t…and I would also be lying if I said I hadn’t loaded the old Christmas playlist back onto my iPod :) Call me crazy, but I just can’t resist! But don’t worry: I won’t broach that topic here at Listen & Learn for another few weeks. Let’s start by refreshing our memories with the “November” song:
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And Election Day will come.
Grown-ups will go to cast their votes
There will be a celebration for some.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And next comes Veteran’s Day
We’ll remember those who served
And home from school we’ll stay.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
For thirty days November’s here
And then comes Thanksgiving Day.
While we eat turkey and pumpkin pie
We’ll be thankful in our own way.
For thirty days November’s here
Let’s give thanks and show good cheer.
The days are short and the wind will blow
It’s the eleventh month I know.
Happy November! Now go enjoy your day, and send good singing vibes my way, if you please. My students and I thank you!