Happy Groundhog Day!

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized


If you’ve already had your fill of winter, then you’ll be disappointed to hear that Punxsutawney Phil did indeed see his shadow this morning.  I have most definitely had enough of this season, but I resigned myself long ago to the fact that the groundhog ALWAYS sees his shadow, and there will ALWAYS be six more weeks of winter.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a song about Groundhog Day…but I know someone who does!  Fellow music therapist Wade Richards of Time for Music has a wonderful podcast, and his latest episode features not only a rockin’ Groundhog Day song, but also a super-fun tune for Super Bowl Sunday.  Check it out!

Spring may be six weeks away, but now that it’s February, we are one step closer :)  What are your plans for this month?  I’m excited about the upcoming Illinois Federation of Music Clubs’ annual Festival, in which several of my piano students will be participating.  It will be both their first time and mine, so it should be a great learning experience for all of us.  Other than that, I have some fun projects to share with you in the next couple of weeks.  I know I have been hinting at them for a while now, so I promise to spill the beans soon.  In the meantime, here’s the song my students and I are singing all month long:

February is month number two,
The shortest of all the months, it’s true.
Usually twenty-eight days, but sometimes
At leap year, then there’ll be twenty-nine.

February second is Groundhog Day,
We’ll wait for the animal to come out and play.
Let’s hope his shadow he does not see,
It means spring will soon be here for you and me.

CHORUS

February fourteenth is Valentine’s Day,
We’ll give out cards and “I love you,” we’ll say.
Time for chocolate, and candy hearts too,
Pink and red flowers for me and you.

CHORUS

February also brings President’s Day,
Remembering those who paved the way
For the US to become so great,
And that is why we celebrate.

CHORUS

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!

Orange You Glad It’s October?

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

I am! September is nice, but it is that limbo period between summer and fall, where the weather just can’t seem to make up its mind. October is full-on FALL, and there’s no question about that today. I am counting down the minutes before my first class this morning, when I’ll be sharing a few new tunes for the new month with my students.

I’ve also pulled out a few old standbys, which I updated for 2009. One of those is the “October” song; it needed a bit of a facelift since I wrote the original version in 2007. New key, retooled lyrics, and voila!

Today it is October,
The 10th month of the year.
Summertime is over
And autumn weather’s here.

Today it is October
We’ll decorate for fall.
Look at all the pumpkins,
And scarecrows standing tall.

CHORUS

Today it is October
It’s time to celebrate.
We’ll stay home on Columbus Day,
Oh, I can hardly wait!

CHORUS

Today it is October
It’s time for Halloween.
Candy, spooks and costumes
And all those scary things.

CHORUS

Oh, and speaking of Halloween: don’t forget to enter the Halloween song topic contest, going on now through Monday! It’s so easy; all you have to do is come up with a creative idea for a Halloween song, and submit it either via email or the comments section of any post. I’ll choose three winners, who will each receive a custom Listen & Learn CD. You can read more about it here.

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!

August Already?

by | Listen & Learn Music, Uncategorized

Why is it that the winter months seem to last forever, while the summer flies by and is over in the blink of an eye? I know it’s not over yet, but as soon as August hits, I’m reminded that these lazy days are dwindling. Not that my summer has been lazy; actually, quite the opposite is true. But the sunshine and warm temps make life a little easier, no matter what is going on.

Well as you know, with each new month comes a song, and August is no exception. Here’s a tune to celebrate month number eight; take a listen:

Hot and sunny days are here,
And the end of the summer is near.
August is month number eight
And all thirty one days are great.

We’ll take a break from school days,
Everyone swims and plays.
Summer will be leaving soon,
So we sing this happy tune:

CHORUS

Time to get ready for the school year,
But there’s nothing for us to fear.
Class is fun and we learn a lot,
And in case you forgot:

CHORUS

Let’s pack up our book bags
And greet our teachers and friends.
Soon enough it will be fall,
But until the summer ends:

CHORUS

Last year around this time, I was knee-deep in wedding plans, parties, and other related celebrations. I have a feeling this August will be a bit more calm in comparison :) We are celebrating our one-year anniversary next weekend in St. Louis, so I’ll have that to look forward to as I jump right into another work week. Enjoy your Sunday evening!