Music is for Ourselves, Too

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I know I’m not alone in the fact that I am constantly forgetting this, and then being reminded of it every so often. Those of us in the music therapy or education field, particularly those who work with children, are so focused on how music can help our students and clients that we often lose sight of music’s role in our own lives. Most of us probably went into our profession because we were positively affected by the presence of music in our lives, and wanted to share that with others. At least, I know this was the case for me. Yet very rarely do I take the time now to listen to or write music for myself.

Very recently, I experienced one of those aforementioned “reminders”. I’ve really liked Ingrid Michaelson, an indie singer-songwriter, ever since her song “The Way I Am” was made famous in an Old Navy commercial (if you are chilly, here, take my sweater…). I checked out some of her other songs, but sort of forgot about her until recently, when her album Everybody was released. I purchased it on iTunes, and burned it to a CD so that I could listen to it in the car.

Well that was two weeks ago, and I haven’t stopped listening. I really identify with several songs on the CD, particularly the title track. It’s usually the last song I listen to before I get to school, and today I realized how refreshed I felt, how inspired, just by hearing that song. It was a familiar feeling; I’m easily moved by music when I actually take the time to listen. But that is the key – taking the time to really listen, and discover which music is a positive influence on our lives, our work, our sanity.

It’s hard to take off my music therapy hat. In fact, I think it’s glued to my head! After I finish my last session or lesson of the night, I think to myself, “What song could I write to help Susie with (insert goal here)?”. A blessing that I love my job so much, but at the same time, a curse that I have a difficult time walking away from it, separating the “music” from “music therapy” every once in a while.

What music do you listen to for yourself? I’m very interested in hearing about the musical outlets that you seek outside the realm of therapy, education, and parenting, so please share.

I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck

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Are you already singing this song after reading the title of this post? I am! Actually, I spent several weeks singing this song in rehearsals for a local production of “Guys & Dolls” and I haven’t stopped since.

While going through my children’s book collection a couple weeks ago, I came across I Love You! A Bushel and a Peck, based on the song by Frank Loesser with illustrations by Rosemary Wells. I’d picked it up last winter but had yet to use it, which has since changed. The book takes the lyrics quite literally, and the illustrations are adorable. My kids especially enjoy the “doodle-oodle-oodle” parts of the song. Just be prepared to have the tune stuck in your head for days :)

How was your weekend? Mine was mostly enjoyable; I spent a lot of time with my family, but not as much time as I spent with Sadie, my golden retriever puppy. My husband was out of town which meant I had full walking, feeding and letting-out responsibilities. It was a lot of work! By the time he returned last night, I was completely exhausted and ready for him to take over.

Anyway, hope your week is off to a great start. I have three more new songs coming in the next few days, so make sure to bookmark this site if you haven’t already!

The Best Birthday Gift Ever

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I have just one word to describe what happened today: WOW. I thought maybe I’d get a few pledges toward my Kickstarter project today in honor of Listen & Learn’s first birthday, but I had no idea that I would raise the remaining $400, as well as an additional $133 with 33 days to spare. There aren’t enough words to fully express my gratitude toward everyone who pledged, so I’ll say thank you, plain and simple.

I can’t wait to get started on my project. As I mentioned last month, I’ve chosen a studio and producer, and the next step is deciding which songs to include on the CD. If you have any suggestions or requests, let me know.

Again, thank you for your generous support. I am blessed!

Friday Fave: Listen & Learn Music Turns 1

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I remember as if it were yesterday: sitting at this very computer, creating a blog, and writing my first post. Did I think people would read it? Maybe, maybe not. Did I think I’d still be here, one year later, writing a Top Ten list about the reasons I’m grateful for Listen & Learn Music and its readers? Not so much, but here I am, and here goes:

1. Connecting with parents who believe in the power of music and what it can do for their children. If not for this blog, I never would have met amazing parents like Sandie, who motivates me with stories of her son, Matthew, and his love of music and the songs I share. It’s one thing to touch the lives of the children with whom I work directly, but its another to know I am making a long-distance impact on others.

2. Becoming a part of the music therapy community. As the only music therapist in my city, I felt alone and disconnected for the first year of my career. Through Listen & Learn, I have had the privelige of communicating with many MTs for whom I have great respect. Just a few from the huge list: Michelle Erfurt, Wade Richards, Amanda Ellis, Kimberly S. Moore, Brenda Papierniak, Candie Stiles…

3. Exciting collaborations. One of the most exciting being my work with Model Me Kids, a company that creates videos modeling social skills for children and teens with autism, Asperger’s, and other developmental disabilities. I wrote original music to narrate their video about faces and emotions, which is coming out very soon! You can learn more and see a clip here.

4. My presence on SongsForTeaching.com. I have been a fan and customer since I first began my studies in music therapy, and still am. I am so proud that since last November, my original songs have been included on their site, as well as recordings I have done for them of songs in the public domain. This would not have been possible without my blog. I am currently working with Ruth, the absolutely wonderful owner of the site, on a new project (which hopefully I’ll be sharing with you soon!).

5. Overcoming my biggest fear. Well, I haven’t done this yet, but I will be facing (and hopefully overcoming) my enormous fear of public speaking in November when I present “Music Therapy in the Blogosphere” at the AMTA National Conference in San Diego. Just the thought gives me butterflies, but I’m excited, nevertheless.

6. A platform to share my songs. As I mentioned in my very first post, the songs I was writing and using with my students were just sitting around, only heard by me and them, until I started this blog. If one person can benefit from a song I’ve written and shared here, I’m a happy camper :)

7. A good excuse to utilize technology. Ever since I was in seventh grade, when the internet really took off, I have been extremely interested in all things technology. Now when I spend countless hours exploring the web and experimenting with the latest sites and trends, I can tell myself it is for the good of the blog!

8. An outlet for writing. When I was in high school, my career goals were split between music and journalism. English was always my strongest academic subject, and in high school I wrote for my school’s newspaper. When I got to college, even though my English professor asked me to become an English major, I went in the other direction. Though this is just a blog – not a novel or amazing essay or article – it is still a place where I can express myself through the written word (not to mention, the sung word!).

9. A reason to be on Twitter. This one is silly, but kind of true, I suppose. So many people (members of my family included!) think Twitter is a pointless waste of time, but it really is a good way to connect with Listen & Learn readers on a more personal level.

10. Complete creative control. Like for instance, making the decision to write an incredibly long-winded post dedicated to my blog’s 1st birthday! There are no rules when it comes to blogging, and I like that. Of course, this is first and foremost a place to share the songs I write for educational and music therapy purposes, there isn’t a rule against posting pictures of my nephew or writing about my iPhone.

So there you have it. If you’ve made it this far, congrats! And more importantly, thank you. Thanks for reading my blog regularly, listening to my songs, sending emails, and providing amazing support and motivation that will keep me going for another five, ten, twenty years!

Friday Fave: Guys & Dolls in Concert!

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I know this is not music therapy or children-related, but I just had to mention the wonderful production that I’m a part of, which happens to open tonight! It is being put on as a fundraiser for the Hoogland Center for the Arts, which is a hub for all things theater and arts-related in Springfield. The center is facing some financial difficulties, and we are hoping that this show helps secure its future.


The cast of Guys & Dolls includes Eddie Mekka, who you might remember as Carmine from “Laverne & Shirley”. I’ve never seen the show, but it has been fun to share the stage with a former TV star. He plays Nathan Detroit, and is supported by local actors filling the roles of the other characters. If you live in Springfield and want to come see the show, you can call 523-ARTS for tickets.

So that is what I will be doing all weekend. I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of the work I need to finish in the next couple of days (in between shows) but as always, it will get done. What are your plans for the weekend? Whatever they are, I hope you have a good one!