Happy July!

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized


Any other summer, I’d most likely tell you how bummed out I am that July is already here.  But not this year!  I have so much to look forward to this month that I’m not even thinking about the fact that summer is one-third of the way over. (Okay, maybe the thought has crossed my mind…however, I choose to ignore it.)

In the next four weeks, I will be: attending my best friend’s engagement party, traveling to Indianapolis for a 4th of July wedding, releasing my album, throwing a big CD release party, and giving a music therapy presentation at a big conference.  Whew!

Back in June I re-recorded all of my Months of the Year songs, and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to share one with you at the start of a new month.  (You can download the entire album, which comes with all 12 songs + instrumental tracks + lead sheet songbook here.)

Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.

Wave your flag, way up high,
Celebrate the fourth of July.
Let’s all wear red, white, and blue,
Fireworks for me and you!

Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.

Independence is the word,
Patriotic songs are heard.
Let’s join in and sing out loud,
For our country we are proud.

Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.

Summer’s coming to a peak,
It gets hotter every week.
Hear the crickets chirp at night,
Until the morning sun shines bright.

Picnics, ice cream, apple pie,
Clap your hands ‘cause it’s July!
The seventh month of the year,
For thirty one days July is here.

What are you up to this July?  Any big vacations or 4th of July parties planned?  My students have been filling me in on their holiday weekend plans, and they all sound like so much fun.  Whatever your plans may be, I hope you start the month off right by enjoying this gorgeous summer day.  Clap your hands ’cause it’s July!

Catch This "Days of the Week" Download!

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Photobucket97% of the songs I use in my music therapy sessions and music classes are those I’ve written myself. But it’s a pretty safe bet that the other 3% are borrowed from Laurie Berkner, who I’d have to say is my songwriting role model.

Some of my favorite Laurie Berkner Band songs include Buzz Buzz, Walk Along the River, The Story of My Feelings, and I Know a Chicken. But one song in particular that both my students and I are extremely fond of is I’m Gonna Catch You.

If you’re not familiar with this particular tune, follow the link and listen to an audio sample.  It’s upbeat, catchy, and best of all, it’s about the days of the week.  Now I’ll admit that this is a silly song, but I use it as an opportunity to sneak in a group calendar lesson.

I created a full-sized (8.5 x 11) picture for each day of the week, including the name of the day and a graphic + text for the description in the song.  If I’m working with a large group, I’ll ask for volunteers to be in charge of each picture.  Then as we listen to and sing the song, each child holds up his or her picture as that day is mentioned.

If the students are just beginning to learn the days of the week, I’ll have them sit in order so that they know when it’s their turn. But as they become more familiar with the order of days, I’ll arrange them randomly. For those who don’t or can’t yet read, the pictures serve as a visual cue.

My students really enjoy (and do very well with) this activity, so I thought I’d share those pictures with you today. Here they are in a nice, neat PDF download:

Download: “I’m Gonna Catch You” Visual Aide

Are you a Laurie Berkner superfan like me?  It’s hard not to be; her songs are super singable, easy to play on the guitar, and can often be applied to my objectives as a music therapist.  Fill me in on your favorite tunes of hers!

Marching Right Along

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

 


Is it just me, or did February seem to drag on and on?  Thankfully, that dreary winter month is finally behind us and March is here!  On the horizon: SPRING, a weekend in Chicago, my puppy’s first birthday, and a week-long break (during which I’ll be recording a CD in St. Louis).

I was so excited about the advent of month #3 that I even recorded a new version of my “March” song.  I wanted to pep it up just a bit, so I added some drums, bass and harmonies and this was the final result:

March is here, yes March is here,
The third month of the year.
Thirty one days march into spring,
And that is a wonderful thing.
Yes that is a wonderful thing.

St. Patrick’s Day will come around,
Find four-leaf clovers on the ground.
Leprechauns and rainbows too,
Clothes of green for me and you.

CHORUS

Get ready for the start of spring,
And all the fun that it will bring.
Soon enough we’ll have spring break,
Let’s celebrate, for goodness sake!

CHORUS (2x)

Even though today is a holiday, March is off to a busy start for me!  This whole week is going to fly by, in fact.  The clock is ticking, so it’s time for me to get a move on.  Happy first day of March (and Casimir Pulaski Day), everyone :)

On Your Mark…Get Set…Go!

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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!

Today it is September

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

Can you believe it? I barely had time to get used to August, and it’s already over! It has felt like September for the last few days (seriously, 40-degree temps at night), but hopefully we’ll have at least a few more summery days before fall really sets in.

This is going to be one busy month…my calendar is almost full and it’s only day #1. I have several performances lined up, the start of Church Mice, a big event at the Hope Institute, and lots more to look forward to. Bring it on, September!

If you’re a regular reader, then you know that I begin each month with a song all about that particular month. Since Listen & Learn made its debut almost a year ago, I have already shared my “September” song. You can refresh your memory by listening to it here. So today, in the spirit of all things fall, we’re counting apples!

Counting time, it’s counting time,
So let’s all sing this simple rhyme.
Ten little apples in a row,
Now let’s count them nice and slow:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Again!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

How many apples?
10 little apples,
All lined up in a row!

How are you welcoming the new month? Do you have your own September song? I’m off to go refresh my own memory (it’s been a while since I’ve sung it!) before my first class. Have a fantastic Tuesday!