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!
Show Choir Made Me a Better Music Therapist
My former high school’s show choir is coming to perform for my students today. I was a member of Seven & Senators at Springfield High School from 1998-2001, and can’t wait to see and hear how the group has evolved over the last ten years.
I wrote about my show choir experience (which is probably the reason that I am a total Gleek) last year, but think it’s worth bringing up again…this time, in relation to my career. Because as far-fetched as it might sound, those three years in Seven & Senators actually helped prepare me for life as a music therapist:
I gained an appreciation for all genres of music. We performed Broadway, golden oldies, love songs, classic rock, jazz, and just about everything else under the sun. Now there’s a special place in my heart for “Blue Skies”, “Bill Bailey”, and lots of other music therapy standards.
I got experience singing in front of audiences of all ages and abilities. Every year, we made the rounds at elementary schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and facilities like The Hope Institute (where I work now). I always enjoyed talking with the students and residents and brightening their day with our performances.
I learned how to improvise. Both vocally, and otherwise! Reinterpreting choreography when my dance partner was MIA, riffing with the audience when our sound system failed us, and creatively solving various other issues were par for the course as a member of show choir.
I taught myself how to memorize at lightning speed. Not only did my brain have to remember all of the music we sang, but it also had to remember countless dance steps, positions, and song order. Now, working with children, I memorize all of the music I use in music therapy sessions so that I can focus on my students — not the lyrics or chords. All that memorizing I did back in the day has served me well.
I bonded with others through music. We all know that the therapeutic relationship is a crucial aspect of music therapy. There’s something about music that speeds up a budding friendship, as I realized early on being involved in show choir and musical theatre. And though my clients aren’t necessarily my friends, our relationship is strong because of the music that we make together.
I’m sure there are other ways in which show choir helped shape me into the music therapist I am today. It’s so cool to look back at my past and realize how all the dots connect perfectly. What about you? Did your past experiences (show choir or otherwise) prepare you for your current career?
Dressing Up (Or Down) For Work
Each morning as I decide what to wear, a few thoughts go through my head: what’s the weather like? Do I have any floor groups today? Am I going to be lugging instruments and equipment around?
As a music therapist, my job duties and work environment changes on a daily basis depending on which clients I’m seeing and in which setting I’ll be seeing them. I spend most days in multiple settings, going straight from my job at a school (where I need to adhere to a certain dress code) to my private practice (where I can keep my outfit a little more casual). So the key is finding a good balance.
There is a list of rules I follow during the school year that make getting dressed a little easier, no matter what I’ll be doing on any given day. Here are some things I stay away from:
- open-toed shoes
- uncomfortable heels
- short skirts
- shirts that are too short
- pants that are too low
- sleeves that don’t let me lift my arms easily
- overstated jewelry
In other words, I pretty much stick to the basics. My wardrobe feels pretty boring at times, but it’s better than being uncomfortable!
In the summer I can be a little more lax, since I work mainly in my home studio and don’t have to do any hauling or walking around. I still need to look professional enough, but I want my students and parents (who most often are dressed down during the warmer months) to feel comfortable and “at home” in my studio.
There’s so much more you have to take into consideration when you spend your days with children. What rules — whether your own or a strict dress code — do you follow when you get dressed for work?
Sunday Singalong: Raindrop Pop
I discovered this song during an iTunes search a few years ago, and now it’s a spring staple. Bobs & LoLo are awesome — if you’re not familiar with their music, I highly suggest checking them out.
This past summer, I connected with Bobs & LoLo via Facebook and Twitter. When they heard that I had released a new album, they offered to do a CD swap with me. So they sent me a copy of Action Packed, and I sent them a copy of Time to Sing Hello.
My students and I have been jamming out to my rendition of “Raindrop Pop” over the last few days, and will probably continue doing so throughout the rest of this rainy spring month!
Friday Fave: Evil Plans
There are a few people on the internet who I look up to immensely. Chris Guillebeau is one of them, which I’ve mentioned here before. All of my music therapy blogger friends fall into that category, as well. But before I discovered Chris, or met any of those music therapists, there was Hugh MacLeod.
Back in 2008, just prior to starting Listen & Learn, I came across an article on the internet called How To Be Creative. It inspired me so much that I printed it out, and then read it over and over again. I didn’t pay much attention to who wrote it, or where it came from, until I stumbled upon a book called Ignore Everybody at Barnes & Noble a year and a half later.
The best-selling book was based on that article, and the author was Hugh MacLeod, whose blog contains tons of other great articles and cartoons about marketing, social media, and being creative. Needless to say, I subscribed to his daily cartoon newsletter and added his blog to my Google Reader immediately.
Hugh’s latest book is called Evil Plans, a term which he defines as “a crazy, out-there idea that allows you to ACTUALLY start doing something you love, doing something that matters.” This is a book you open at 11 pm, tell yourself you’ll read one chapter before bed, and then before you know it, you’ve read five and don’t want to put it down. It’s inspiring, funny, and brutally honest.
Hugh says that everyone should have an evil plan. What’s yours?
(And yes…I have one. A few, actually. I promise I’ll spill the beans soon!)
My BIG Book of Music Therapy Songs
This was my bible during my first year as a professional music therapist. Throughout the nine months prior that I spent in internship, I compiled songs that I thought might come in handy (or already had) for music therapy sessions. I’m so glad I took the time to do that way back when, because here I am, four years later…still referring back to it and adding new songs as I go.
Of course, not every song is relevant anymore, especially now that I write most of my own material. But every single song on my recent list of 12 Songs Every Music Therapist Should Know can be found in this giant binder, as are many of the songs I’m about to add to that list.
I received several requests for my FULL list of essential songs, and since I aim to please, here goes! Note: I am not elaborating on each one as I did in my original list, because if I did, you’d still be reading this tomorrow…
Notice the nice little scroll box? Right around song #35, I decided it was mandatory. Hopefully I’ve given you some new ideas for songs to add to your own repertoire…and like my last “essential” songs post, I want to know: which tunes am I still missing?
P.S. Did you know that you can gain instant access to a vast collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music?
Warming Up and Chilling Out
Every year, my husband and I look forward to our April vacation. In years past, we’ve gone to Palm Springs, Hilton Head, San Diego, San Antonio, and this year…Scottsdale (that’s our hotel, the Westin Kierland, pictured above). What do all five of those destinations have in common? They’re all much warmer than where we’re coming from.
Even though it’s April, it’s still not very spring-like in central Illinois. Seriously, temperatures in the 50s and low 60s…ugh. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is why I’m optimistically posting this song today:
Whether or not it actually starts to warm up here in the Midwest, I’m not worried about the temperatures where we’re headed tomorrow. Hello, 80 degrees and sunshine! Perfect weather for chilling out in the lazy river at our hotel (how cool is that?!) and exploring Scottsdale.
I most definitely won’t be spending much time on the computer while I’m away, but not to worry…I have blog posts ready and waiting to be posted. After all, vacation is no excuse to slack on my 365 in 2011 goal!
Is it warming up yet where you are?
April Showers Bring May Flowers
It’s raining, it’s pouring…but that’s what we expect in April, right? Luckily, I thought ahead and prepared all sorts of rainy day songs and activities for my students. Here are just a few of my favorites for rainy April days like this.
One staple of every classroom music therapy session at my school is the weather song. (If you’ve joined my newsletter, then you’ve already received a free download of my weather album.) Today’s song, of course, will be “Rainy Day” — or “Pitter Patter” as everyone around here calls it.
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Down comes the rain today
Clouds are forming in the sky,
Inside we’ll have to stay.
Thunder crashes, boom boom boom!
We see lightning too.
Don’t go outside,
Until the storm is through.
This picture book has been a staple in my collection of singable stories for years now. The illustrations that accompany the added verses about the old man are cute and funny, and the song is familiar to almost everyone.
And there are plenty of great songs out there about rainy days. At the top of my list are Leaky Umbrella by Jim Gill, Raindrop Pop by Bobs & LoLo, and The Raindrop Song from Barney. I also like to sing about rainbows throughout the month of April; one particular fave is We Are the Colors of the Rainbow by Holly Brook & Candy K.
And I can’t forget instruments! I’ll be pulling out my rainsticks, chiquitas, and thunder drums this month. Now it’s your turn: what are your favorite songs, books, and activities for rainy April days?
Sunday Singalong: Safety Comes First
Just a few weeks ago, I featured a song called Red, Yellow and Green as a “Sunday Singalong” video. That song was a part of my safety theme in music therapy throughout the month of March, as was the song in this week’s video.
“Safety Comes First” originated as a request from a music therapist in California who was looking for a song that incorporated the rules of being around cars and parking lots. I’m so glad she asked me to write it, because I think it’s so important for my students to be educated on this topic, as well.
Friday Fave: My New Middle School Friends
I had the pleasure of spending Wednesday morning with a great group of middle school students (I’m the non-student wearing stripes in the middle) from Lincoln Magnet School. They contacted me last month about interviewing me for a project in their video journalism class, and of course I said yes!
These kids were pros, let me tell you. I had reserved the board room at The Hope Institute for our interview, and as soon as we walked into the room, they began discussing the best placement for their video camera and me as the interview subject. They had already sent me a list of questions, so I looked over those as they finished setting up.
This was just page one of the excellent questions they had for me. It was interesting to listen to their reactions as I explained what music therapy is all about, and how my students benefit from it. They came up with some fabulous on-the-spot questions, as well.
After the interview was over, I took the students and their guidance counselor (who I had as a teacher when I was in middle school!) on a tour of the building. They had the chance to meet some of my students, chat with my principal, see lots of cool aspects of our facility, and get an idea of all the kinds of services an organization like Hope has to offer.
The students will be editing their video into a short piece that will be shown at their class’s end-of-the-year movie screening, and I can’t wait to see the final product. Not only was this a fun opportunity for me, but it’s one more way to get the word out about music therapy in my community.
Studio Renovation: Progress Update #1
This is what I came home to on the first day of my studio renovation. Eek! A hole in the wall! But that meant I was one step closer to a beautiful new waiting room, even though it’s not looking quite so beautiful in this picture.
By the end of the very next day, our contractors had installed the door leading to the garage, where students and their families will enter and exit through the “people door” you can see above. They had also ripped up the old carpet to get ready for the new flooring, which left the room looking like this (click to enlarge pictures):
Here’s a view of the door from the garage. You can see how close the new door is to the existing door through which everyone will enter from outside. We’re planning to partition off the rest of the garage from this little alcove:
The trim and step still need to be painted, but the hard work is done. What I like about this renovation is that we didn’t have to add another exterior door to the house, which might have affected the resale value if/when we decide to move. And this new entryway can easily be reversed if a buyer does not want it.
The contractors have also begun framing in the door that will separate the studio “wing” from the rest of the house. I thought it was hilarious when last Friday, after one of my students’ parents used the restroom, she came back and asked, “Did Sadie rip up the trim in the hallway?” A valid question, since I hadn’t yet explained the renovation :) Here’s how the doorway was looking a few days ago:
It’s further along now, since the guys have been back every day to mud the drywall. (Don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?) But it’s definitely still looking rough, and I’m very anxious for this part to be completed since it’s visible to everyone who comes in the house.
The room that will become my new studio is still fairly untouched, aside from housing the other room’s closet doors and a couple pieces of furniture. But soon they’ll be repainting and recarpeting, at which point I can start decorating — the most fun part of any renovation.
So that’s where we’re at right now. A lot of thumb-twiddling as we wait for the new flooring to come in, which won’t be for another couple of weeks. This process is most definitely a lesson in patience!