by Rachel | Uncategorized
I was hoping to announce the winners and share the songs that came from their topics this week, but unfortunately, that will be held off for a few days. My grandmother passed away on Tuesday, and I have been spending time with my family and preparing for the funeral and reception, which will happen tomorrow.
My grandma was the reason I decided to become a music therapist, and I am going to write a post dedicated to her in the coming days. So please continue to visit, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I’m taking it easy tonight, because tomorrow morning is the photo shoot for my CD project, Listen & Learn: Music for a Different Kind of Audience. The wonderful Kimberly Smoot has donated her time and talent to the cause, and I’m really looking forward to working with her tomorrow. I might even post a few sneak peeks, so stay tuned :)
What are your plans for this first weekend of October?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
On Thursday morning I got an email from my husband. It was a picture of the Illinois Times cover taken with his iPhone after he realized that I just happened to be on it! I had an idea that I might get a mention because of a show I was scheduled to play this weekend, but a picture on the cover? No clue! Needless to say, it was a nice surprise.
And then he opened up the paper to find that my picture was also featured in the article, along with a short write-up in which my songs were described as “delightfully perceptive”. I couldn’t think of a higher compliment, really :)
The extra publicity was much appreciated, as I had a full house for my show this weekend at a new winery near Springfield. It was a beautiful night, so I was able to play on the outdoor stage. The audience was great, but the very best part of the whole night was right after my first set, when a little girl and her parents came up to talk to me.
The man said that he had seen me in the paper, and wanted his daughter (whose name was Gracie) to see a girl playing the guitar and performing. She had just gotten a guitar for her birthday, and wanted to learn to play it. Gracie told me that her favorite song I sang was “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Her dad bought a copy of my CD for her (plus three more to give as gifts) and asked me to autograph it. Before they left, she thanked me for playing and said, “I loved your music!” And then my heart melted.
It was a fabulous night, and exactly the musical outlet I needed after the last several weeks of work-related stress. I can’t wait to play there again in November!
Just another quick thanks to all the new visitors who have stopped by via Blogger’s “Blog of Note” announcement. I am loving all the comments and feedback – please keep them coming, and I promise I will respond to everyone very soon!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
In honor of being named today’s “Blog of Note” by the awesome team at Blogger, I have compiled a list of the posts that I think best represent Listen & Learn Music. A Cliff Notes of sorts for first-time visitors, and a walk down memory lane for those of you who have supported this blog since it’s creation in September 2008. Let’s start at the very beginning…
9/4/08: An Introduction
My very first post, which tells the story behind Listen & Learn.
10/10/08: A New Friday Tradition
“Friday Faves” are still going strong. This was the inaugural one.
10/26/08: Up Close and Personal
Here, I share a little-known (non music-therapy) side of myself.
11/4/08: You Can Vote However You Like
A fun reflection on Election Day, including a fab video.
11/20/08: Turkey Dinner Dance
This song (and dance!) might just stir a Thanksgiving craving.
12/17/09: The Other Eight Reindeer
My nod to Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
1/30/09: Three Blue Pigeons
How I was able to reach a little boy with autism through a simple song.
2/23/09: Off to School Today
An upbeat tune all about going to school. School is cool!
4/20/09: Office Space
A photo tour of my home office and studio in its beginnings.
5/28/09: Bells are for Shaking
One of the many songs I’ve written specifically for the instruments we play.
6/25/09: I Heart Taylor Swift
Doesn’t everyone? Especially after the whole Kanye West/VMAs debacle.
7/14/09: Help Me, Help Them
A video I made to spread the word about my Kickstarter project.
8/4/09: On the Disney Channel
Hannah Montana? Check. Jonas Brothers? Check. The whole gang’s here.
9/4/09: Listen & Learn Turns 1
This post rounds out the past year in review as my blog celebrates its birthday!
Do you have a favorite post you’ve read or song you’ve heard here at Listen & Learn? I’d love to know about it. In the meantime, I am still reeling from the amazing bestowment of “Blog of Note” and 1,200+ visitors I’ve had today! Thanks to each and every one of you for sharing a few minutes of your day with me :)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Wow, wow, wow…I don’t even know what else to say. Oh, “Thank you, Blogger!” might be a good place to start. I am so thrilled and honor to be featured today as the Blog of Note, which can be found on Blogger’s homepage, the Blogs of Note blog, and Blogger’s Twitter page. Listen & Learn has been going strong for a little over a year now, and I couldn’t be happier with the free service that Blogger provides so that I have a platform in which to share my music therapy ideas and adventures, as well as my educational children’s songs for school, home, and play.
If this is your first time here, thank you so much for visiting! I hope you’ll continue to come back. My name is Rachel Rambach, and I am a board-certified music therapist in central Illinois. I write this blog for everyone who has an appreciation for the power of music, and you can learn more about Listen & Learn here. If you have any questions about the site, my music, or music therapy in general, feel free to email me, and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Again, thank you for stopping by! And thanks, Blogger…you’re helping spread the word about music therapy and the role of music in education :)
