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!
Sayonara, Studio!
On Friday afternoon, the spring session ended and I taught my LAST LESSON EVER in the original Music Therapy Connections studio. My lovely student Grace was happy to pose in a few pictures commemorating the occasion and showing off the extremely empty digs.
The very next day, my helpful (and strong) brothers-in-law came over to help my husband move the last remaining item — the piano — into the new studio. It was sort of sad to close the doors of the room that has served me so well over the past two years; it’s the end of an era.
It won’t stay empty for long: the room will be a temporary home to a few miscellaneous furniture items in the coming weeks. Zach and I had plans to make that happen this weekend, but after all the painting, organizing, picture hanging, and arranging I did over the last three days, my energy is drained.
Speaking of all that, I have lots of pictures to share in my next studio renovation progress update! A lot has happened since my last pathetic update…and you’ll get to see it all later this week.
Memorial Day is For…
…honoring those who have served our country.
…spending time with the ones we love.
…yummy food on the grill.
…kicking off the summer!
I hope you’re lucky enough to have as beautiful weather as I do on this Memorial Day. I’m getting ready to take my dog for a walk, and then it’s off to my parents’ pool (my summer hangout) for some swimming and a cookout. Talk about the perfect day. Enjoy the holiday, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow!
My Final Hurrah
This morning, one of my co-workers asked me if I was ready for my “final hurrah” at The Hope Institute, and I thought that made a great title for this post.
Four years ago, I started a new tradition at Hope: an all-school spring singalong. I rounded up some of my musician co-workers and started a band, complete with drums, bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals. Every year since, I’ve looked forward to this event all spring long.
Today is that day. The picture above is from last year’s singalong, and I realized that I’m wearing those same shoes again this year :) I’ve chosen a dozen of my students’ favorites tunes, made up packets of lyrics for everyone, and set up the instruments and sound equipment. Now all that’s left is to rock out!
How I Would Summarize My Life in 6 Songs
This post is inspired by JoAnn Jordan, music therapist and author of the blog Musical Gems. She’s reading the book The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature by Daniel J. Levitin, which prompted her to ponder this question: If I had to summarize my life in six songs, what would those songs be?
You can read JoAnn’s answer here, and my six songs are below.
- The Rainbow Connection: I wrote about this song recently, and the importance of it during my childhood. Every time I hear or sing it, I’m flooded with happy memories of being a little girl.
- Don’t Rain on My Parade: This was my go-to audition song during my high school musical theater days, and I felt so empowered every time I sang it. I still do, in fact. I LOVED that it was Rachel’s theme song on Glee last season!
- The Remedy: I listened to Jason Mraz nonstop during my last semester of college, and it was his music that inspired me to learn the guitar. “I won’t worry my life away” is a good lyric to have stuck in your head, especially for a worrywart like me.
- You Make Me Feel So Young: I have my dad to thank for my love of Frank Sinatra, and this is the song we danced to at my wedding (here’s a pic). Frank Sinatra will forever be the happy voice of my adolescent and high school years, even though he came way before my time.
- Blessed: Martina McBride is someone I look up to as a singer, and I like her even more because of this song. I certainly feel blessed with all the wonderful people and experiences in my life, and this could be my theme song (minus the part about having kids, for now at least).
- Ready: Kelly Clarkson’s CD “All I Ever Wanted” has been in my car’s player for a few months now. This is my favorite track off the album — it’s an affirmation to myself that I’m ready for everything the future holds, plus it’s really fun to sing along to :)
So there you have it. Now that I’ve summarized my life in 6 songs, it’s YOUR turn. Please share your list in the comments below or post it to your own blog!
Three Rockin’ Birds
When I first found these canary sticks, I wasn’t sure exactly how I’d use them — I just knew I had to have them. They are easy to “play” and the bird chirping sound they make is pretty realistic.
They sat unused for a few months, but I finally decided to try them out with my students. But before I did that, I asked my Twitter friends for songs about birds. I received about 15 or so great suggestions, but ended up going with two pretty well-known songs. I combined them into one, and it turned out like this:
In the second verse of “Three Little Birds” I leave a space for the child’s name. I repeat this verse for each child in my group, giving them each a chance to be the birdie star. The little ones like that part, and their parents dig the fact that they know both songs and can sing along.
Have you ever used these sweet little instruments? I’m thinking another great use for them might be a singable story with designated places for bird chirps…another project to add to the hopper (along with too many others to count).
Sunday Singalong: Building a Treehouse
Rhythm sticks aren’t the most exciting of instruments, but this song makes them a little more fun…don’t you think? My little church mice would agree: they’ve been hammering, sawing, and painting in rhythm to it for the last few weeks.
Charity Kahn and the Jam Band have a pretty great collection of music that gets kids moving, and I’ve used several of their tunes over the last couple of years. Another favorite song is “Your Body’s an Instrument” from their CD, JAM.
Oh, and if you actually do have a treehouse (because most of us do, right?!) and you’re weather is anything like mine today, you better be climbing up into it today. Or maybe you could just take your dog for a walk or do some gardening instead ;) No matter which way you spend this beautiful Sunday, enjoy!
Friday Fave: My New Blogging Gig
I received an email from my friend Lisa Casciola a few weeks back, telling me to apply for the open blogger position at Music Teacher’s Helper. Talk about a dream job: write 1 blog post a month, and in return receive a free unlimited subscription (worth $49/month) to Music Teacher’s Helper (the online software that helps run the business side of my studio/private practice).
So I applied for the job. As part of the application, I had to provide a list of post ideas as well as a sample post which would serve as my inaugural one if hired.
A few days later, I received an email asking if I’d be interested in blogging for Studio Helper, which is the sister site of Music Teacher’s Helper. The Studio Helper blog is geared more towards the management and marketing of a studio, which aligned with my ideas and sample post.
Of course I said yes — because as you know, running my studio is a favorite topic around here! (And I still get the free unlimited subscription to Music Teacher’s Helper.) My first post will appear on the Studio Helper blog next Tuesday, May 24, and the 24th of every month following.
My dad couldn’t believe it when I told him I’d added one more thing to my already busy schedule, but the way I see it, I’m already blogging every single day…so what’s one more blog post a month?!
Studio Renovation: Progress Update #4
It’s been a few weeks since I posted a progress update on my new studio, and here’s the reason: there hasn’t been much progress :( Well, unless you count the fact that my waiting room couches have been delivered and are in place.
The truth is, I’m limited in the things I can do at this point since I’m using my current studio until the end of the spring session. But come May 27, you better believe that I will be working like a crazy woman to get everything moved, decorated, and ready for students.
Between that day and the start of my summer session on June 13, I have my best friend’s wedding, my husband’s best friend’s wedding, my birthday, an acoustic gig, and a working weekend in Florida with my podcast co-hosts. So I’m sure you can imagine the stress I feel when I start thinking about my studio to-do list, which includes:
- have new outside door painted and replaced
- repaint entry way
- install entry way partition
- move office furniture & piano
- wash window screens and privacy blinds
- choose, purchase and hang curtains
- organize office supplies and instruments
- decorate (this is the really fun part)
Not to mention, prepare for my first week of 60+ students (yes, I just might be certifiably insane). I also need to do paperwork, send out emails and registration invoices, and update my website with info for my new families.
The more I type, the more I realize that this supposed “progress update” has become an outlet of all the stress I’m feeling right now. So if you’re still reading at this point, THANK YOU for this makeshift therapy session!
And I promise: after the 27th, I will share some real progress updates (and many more pictures) with you, my wonderfully patient and amazing friends.
I Like the Way You Shake!
I first had the idea to adapt the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” for instruments a few years back. Originally, it was a song for tambourines or bells, but I re-recorded it this spring as a shakin’ tune.
Each color has its own verse, which means that my students get their moment in the spotlight, shaking one of their colored egg shakers or maracas from my basket (pictured above). Here’s the song:
I’ve been pumping out instrument songs lately, and I still have a couple left to share with you. But I’m planning to write some new songs for summer as soon as I get a free minute or two…which, based on my schedule over the next few weeks, could be July before I get around to it! Thus is the life of a happily busy music therapist/studio teacher :)
5 Movies I Watch for Inspiration
This past weekend, while my husband was out of town for yet another bachelor party, I spent both Friday and Saturday evenings parked out on the couch watching movies with my dog. (Easy A, The Back-Up Plan, 50 First Dates, and Zombieland, if you were curious.)
Lo and behold, all of that movie watching inspired me to write a blog post about the movies that inspire me! So here they are, in no particular order:
Growing up, I owned the VHS tape of Mr. Holland’s Opus and watched it all the time. I wanted to be just like Rowena, the ingenue who had such a beautiful voice and inspired Mr. Holland’s composition. But now that I’m all grown up, Mr. Holland inspires me to be a better teacher, and to get my students excited about music.
Every knows the most famous line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come.” Everyone thought Ray Kinsella was crazy for turning his farmland into a baseball field, but he did it, witnessed some pretty amazing things, and even made a living out of it by turning it into a tourist attraction. I can sort of relate, with my journey from music major (which plenty of people thought was a crazy idea) to music therapist with a soon-to-be full time private practice.
I first saw Moulin Rouge (five times in the theater) as a high school graduate, getting ready to move far away for college and pursue my dreams of performing. So naturally this movie was inspiring; lots of creative, talented people pursuing their dreams of putting on a show. It didn’t hurt that I had a huge crush on Ewan McGregor :) The love story, the songs, and the visual effects are stunning, and I can feel my creative juices pumping every time I watch it.
The Devil Wears Prada might very well be one of my favorite movies of all time. Not only do I love the main cast (Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci), but I think the way they portray the inner workings of a fashion magazine is so interesting. And even though Andy (Anne Hathaway’s character) lets her job negatively affect her attitude as she climbs the ranks, she finds her way back to her true self and purpose in the end.
Duh, Julie & Julia had to be on this list! After all, it’s about a blogger who writes about her passion…sound familiar?! And although I’m not getting movie and book deals (unless you count my songbook) I’ve had lots of cool stuff happen because of Listen & Learn. Also, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci are in this movie — see above.
I find inspiration in some of the strangest and most unexpected places, but I think movies are a pretty common source of it. I would love to hear about the movies that inspire you. Please share them in the comments!