Music Matters

7 Thoughts of an Advocacy “In-between-er”

2012-01-27T11:35:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I shared an advocacy video for my profession’s social media advocacy month. My goal was twofold: 1. to illustrate how a music therapist might use music as a vehicle to present information, and 2. to state that by persisting as a team, combined with individual work, music therapists can help push forward as our profession grows.
Today, I wanted to elaborate on some points that I’ve found helpful when it comes to advocacy:
I wouldn’t consider myself an advocacy “ace”; however, I wouldn’t say I’m quite an amateur advocate, either. I feel comfortable and fairly confident at my current position in the middle- able to share what I’ve learned this far and appreciative of what I can absorb from others. Whether you’re an ace, amateur, or an in-between-er, I welcome you to explore my thoughts about what I’ve personally found to work. These can easily apply to non-music therapists.

1. No discrimination. Just like the uniqueness of humanity, advocacy and being an advocate comes in all shapes and sizes. I feel as though this is a point that's been shared throughout our advocacy project...yay- we're on the same page! Whatever your comfort level, there’s a way for you be involved. If you’re not a fan of public speaking or you’d rather be the one in front and in charge, you can tailor your involvement to fit your preferences. Consider working within a team setting versus individually. You can gain insights, experience, and have a built-in support system!
2. Be and do. “Advocate” is both a noun and a verb. Be an advocate. Advocate for your passion, whatever it may be. My professional passion is utilizing the power of music to help others achieve important, meaningful skills in their lives. I have begun to think of advocacy as an obligation, rather than simply something I’m “able” to do. We as music therapists possess knowledge that others without our training don’t have. And from therapist to therapist we differ. It almost feels like an injustice not to share our smarts!
3. Stray outside of your profession. I’ve been told by mentors- music therapists and non-music therapists- that it’s easiest to start public speaking when you’re presenting to those who aren’t of the same career. This gives you a great opportunity of spreading your message without anxiety of being scrutinized by fellow therapists/ doctors/ educators/ builders/ bakers, etc. The first presentation I gave was to related service professionals (physical therapists, early intervention therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists). Some were familiar with my line of work, but many had never been introduced to the topic. It was a great way to advocate, educate, and share- with an only slightly elevated heart rate. I was the expert!
4. Be social. Social media has given us lots of (free) ways to connect, while being states, countries, or continents apart. Through Linked-In, I met a speech-language pathologist from Florida. In her 11 years of practicing, she had never met a music therapist in her area. She was intrigued by my job, and asked me to write an article about it for her blog. Advocacy. Done. And it was started by just clicking “accept” on a virtual invitation. Likewise, there are in-person opportunities to connect with a wide variety of professionals in your community: your local chamber of commerce or business networking groups (BNI is one such organization.) On the flip side…
5. Birds of a feather flock together. While it’s important to educate those who aren’t music therapy majors, keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of music therapy, meeting new colleagues, and collaborating will only help us help each other.
6. In the famous words of the Nike brand- “just do it.” Like any new seemingly daunting task, it will get, if even minisculely so, easier as you become more used to and practice the idea. Looking back to beginning my collegiate career, (in my pre-MT major days, at a 35,000+ Big 10 university), I thought “How in the world am I going to meet new people in this environment?” Turns out, I just did it. I began to initiate conversations, introduce myself, and never looked back. To this day, this experience takes credit for my ability to be comfortable in new social settings. Now, as a small-business owner, it’s completely up to me to advocate for and well-represent my company and my profession, and I feel comfortable doing so. I do this when I: engage in public speaking, attend a resource fair, host shadowing opportunities for high school and college students who are interested in music therapy, begin a new music therapy program, write a blog post that someone may happen to “happen upon”…and so continues the many ways! Take a deep breath and jump in…there will always be someone around to assist you, if need be.
7. Carpe articulum. Seize the moment. Music therapists are, generally, used to elaborating on their job descriptions when asked “So- what do you do?” Use this opportunity to advocate and educate. Think about the many scenarios when this may unfold. Create a succinct speech that you can recite or share an anecdote that will share information to those without the knowledge- and who can in turn walk away with an introduction to music therapy.

When I shared the “a-d-v-o-c-a-t-e” video two weeks ago, I was nervous. It was my first musical offering on the Web when I was both heard and seen. But I did it. Maybe someone was introduced to the subject of music therapy that day- who knows?
It’s been great to read and listen to all of the contributions from my fellow therapists during the past few weeks. I know this project has lit a fire for me to consistently keep up with advocacy efforts, and I suspect that our profession will continue to make headway and burn brightly, too.

Week 3 Wrap-Up

2012-01-20T13:30:00.001-05:00

Music therapists have been b.u.s.y cranking out more advocacy articles! It's been really interesting and enjoyable to hear what fellow colleagues have to say, and sort of get a little taste of everyone's personality through his/her writing. You can explore all of the contributions that have been published this far quickly and efficiently, by visiting the list compiled here as well as here.

Hooray for the ease in which we're able to share all of this great information! : )

a-d-v-o-c-a-t-e...on YouTube

2012-01-16T08:07:00.000-05:00

As promised, I'd like to share part of my contribution to the 2012 Music Therapy Social Media Advocacy Month with you...by way of my first YouTube video!
This actually came before my article...(half truth- I had a pretty solid rough draft, but then the song 'happened' and changed my course of thinking). I was driving home at the end of my work day- with the days' songs + ideas of writing for the project swirling in my mind- and this came to be in a very short period of time. Thank goodness for voice memo apps!

I often find that individuals who are not familiar with music therapy can really benefit from experiental examples- active or passive... I'm hoping that the new Music Matters YouTube channel will allow for future educate-by-example advocacy opportunities.

And the word of the month is...

2012-01-09T11:22:00.000-05:00

Advocacy! To digress just a minute or so...when I was young, I had the (good/ strange- I'm not quite sure) opportunity to watch "Pee-wee's Playhouse" as part of my lineup of Saturday morning cartoons. Did you? I distinctly remember the 'word of the day' segment at the beginning; anytime one of the characters uttered the word during the episode, it was followed by the instructed 'aaaaugh'- scream really loud.

In the world of music therapy, we're using our word- advocacy- throughout the month of January. Music therapy bloggers (including yours truly) and podcasters from around the country will be expressing their thoughts on the topic and our profession- why it's important, how to be an advocate, ideas, and tips. A complied list of contributions can be found on the Music Therapy Maven's website. If you're a Twitter user, you can also follow the #mtadvocacy hashtag.

I'm looking forward to each week's articles and podcasts, as well as sharing my own with you toward the end of the month...no screaming at the word necessary : ).

...and a Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T22:11:00.004-05:00

My sincere wishes to you all for a happy, healthy, harmonious 2012!
I've had this song as my ringtone for the past few days, and find myself humming it even when my phone doesn't ring. Straight No Chaser is one of my faves, and I love their take on this tune...I hope you enjoy as I do : )

In case you're interested- here's a link to a Washington Post search on the history of the topic; in my opinion, they present the most information/ best story. You can sign up free to read the first article, "Who Gets Credit for 'Auld Lang Syne'"?

A Whole New Decade

2011-12-22T21:15:00.001-05:00

So, friends...yesterday I turned 30. 3-0! No longer a 20-something. I have been told multiple times [because, honestly, I'm not thrilled about this change yet], that age is a state of mind, not a number...which I am thankful to be reminded of, because I still feel like an early twenty-year-old, even though I have a brand new first number to get used to!

With this, I thought that I would give you a present for my birthday. A few of my kiddos have been working hard on numbers, specifically counting by different intervals: 2's, 5's, and 10's. Since I'm at a new 10-year mark, I'm sharing a "Count by 10's" little ditty with you. You can hop over to my Bandcamp page and download the mp3, sans charge. Celebrate!

I am proud of and, again, thankful for all that I have accomplished and been presented in during my last decade [see- that just sounds weird!]...and although I'm not taking this change quite in stride yet, am very excited to see what the next 10 years brings- and I look forward to sharing it with you : )

Whaddaya know?: Facelift, awareness, and networking

2011-12-19T10:37:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, I do know that it's been waaaay too long since I've typed words into this space! How have you been? With a lot of days passed, today may be sort of a "catchall!" I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but...a). as a blog reader, I want pages to be kept up with- so if I want that from others, I must expect that from myself! b). this is a great, free, way to communicate with other therapists, professionals, families, and community members and c). advocacy!

I also know that there have been a lot of changes since I've been in last- one that (hopefully) jumps out rather quickly, if you had been familiar with Music Matters. My friend Keli at Colette Paperie gave Music Matters a lovely makeover, from the website to my business card to the blog. I'm really very pleased with the new look, and believe it's one that the company will be able to grow forward with. Speaking of the company- I'm going to start using "MM" in type here when I refer to Music Matters' name (sorry, no chocolate-covered candies that melt in your mouth : )

In addition to changes within my small world, my larger professional world of music therapy has surely seen an outpouring of attention in the media: therapists are blogging and social-networking away, ABC news (among others) has highlighted the field in relation to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords remarkable journey and experience with music therapy, Ben Folds attended our national conference last month (cool!)- just to name a few. It's been awesome to see the focus on music therapy this year, and I think that social media has been a great catalyst to push more and more awareness to the public. Therapists have been advocating for quite some time, but the ease with which technology allows us to communicate- in my opinion- really gives us an advantage.
Case-in-point: I met Lucy, a speech-language pathologist at A Love for Language, via LinkedIn. In her work, Lucy said she'd never met a music therapist and asked if I would be interested in submitting an article for her website. Yes, please! In the next few days, the article- giving an introductory overview of our profession- will be published, potentially reaching other who have never had experience with music therapy...all because we joined each other's online "professional network."

It's nice to be back. I hope you have a terrific week! (I'll be spending my last few days as a 20-something before my 30's hit on Wednesday!)

words of wisdom

2011-07-10T14:32:00.003-04:00

My grandpa would often tell me, "It's all about who you know, Kate." Especially during my college years and beyond, I've thought of his words on many an occasion. It may not all be about connections, but it's definitely extremely helpful to have "go-to" people, both professionally and personally. I attended a business networking meeting where I also heard someone refer to your "starting lineup" or "starting five" people...those you consider extremely valuable assets as connections and can rely on to assist with information-gathering, brainstorming, advertising, etc. Someone you may consider an expert. Personally, it's a great way to think about and organize those who you work or connect with often.
Who would you choose to be your resident experts?

updates + a new class!

2011-06-30T21:28:00.005-04:00

It came to my attention this week that, unknowingly, I had made a boo-boo and didn't renew my website hosting. Oops! Actually, a big OOPS! I've been planning a re-design of the site, and wanted to keep hosting, domain registration, etc. with one service, versus multiple companies. It was in making that switch that I must have forgotten to include the hosting! A misstep, but one that will work out alright. I'm so excited to have a very creative mind helping with a new design and know that the layout will be terrific! So for now, information can be found here, as well as on Facebook. Speaking of...
I announced this evening that Music Matters is now offering a new class- Baby Sing & Sign. After completion of training, I became certified, and am finishing up the first Cincinnati group! This program combines equal parts music, play, and sign language to teach young ones a meaningful way of communicating basic wants and needs before vocal mechanisms are developed enough for verbal output. In this way, it can help reduce frustration of both the child and parent/caregiver. I really love that this class is beneficial for kiddos with and without special needs. And, families are provided with written + audio materials to use at home. Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming classes, as well as the debut of the new website! If you have questions or would like to inquire about forming a Sing & Sign group, contact me : )

a little tap'll do it

2011-05-31T09:34:00.005-04:00

I don't know about you, but having a three-day weekend was such a great treat! And though many of us will feel disoriented, and repeatedly remind ourselves that today is Tuesday- not Monday!- we can look forward to a shortened work week. So, not to be confused- it's music on a faux Monday today!
Last week, I introduced today's shared song to one of my kiddos...and was thrilled that after our session, as I was taking data and writing my "note", he put into practice the content of the song! The topic is interrupting...or not doing so, and what can be done instead. Can you think of any other alternatives that could be added to the lyrics?

A Tap on the Shoulder by Kate Legge, MT-BC, NMT

A TAP ON THE SHOULDER
I’ll tap you on the shoulder,
[Tap, tap, tap]
When there’s something I need
Or have to say
I’ll tap you on the shoulder,
[Tap, tap, tap]
But if you’re busy, I’ll back away.
And wait.

I’ll say excuse me
["Excuse me"]
When there’s something I need
Or have to say
I’ll say excuse me
["Excuse me"]
But if you’re busy, I’ll back away.
And wait.

If I see you're talking
With someone else,
I won’t interrupt; it’s not polite
I’ll keep to myself.
Waiting for my turn is hard,
But it’s the right thing to do,
So when you’re not busy
Then it’s my turn to speak to you…

I’ll tap you on the shoulder,
Tap/ “Excuse me”
When there’s something I need
Or have to say
I’ll tap you on the shoulder,
Tap/ “Excuse me”
But if you’re busy, I’ll back away.
But if you’re busy, I’ll back away.
But if you’re busy, I’ll back away.
A-a-and wait.

"rainy play day"

2011-05-16T12:42:00.004-04:00

Last month was the wettest April in Cincinnati history, since records began being kept in 1835. I know that I was hoping that as the calendar flipped from April to May, we'd suddenly flip the rain off and the sunshine on...bummer, but no such luck yet. We've had some nice days in the tri-state, but they were "teaser" days, and this week's forecast begins with much cooler temps + chances and chances of rain.
As adults, we're yearning for the warmth of sunshine to lift our spirits or provide a great backdrop for outside work and gardening, and get-togethers with friends and family. However, as a kid, I just wanted to go in the backyard and play! When that's not an option, what do you (+ your kiddos) do for inside entertainment?

ps...look: the bandcamp player is working...hooray!

Rainy Play Day by Kate Legge, MT-BC, NMT
CHORUS:
It’s a r-r-rainy day
So inside’s where I’ll stay
I’ll get wet if I play outside
So inside’s where I’ll stay, ‘cause
It’s a r-r-rainy day

The rain is falling down from the sky
But inside my house I stay nice and dry
Inside is where I’ll play
Until the rain is gone
And the wet weather moves away

CHORUS

Stay inside, read a book
Play with toys, help mom cook;
Listen to music, watch TV
Paint, dance, sing;
Use the computer, blow some bubbles
Take some pictures, finish a puzzle;
Study for school, play with my pet
Inside I can play and I won’t get wet

CHORUS

walk this way

2011-05-14T10:23:00.006-04:00

I do love Aerosmith, but they are not the topic here : ) Walk season is upon us, and next week is Cincinnati's Walk Now for Autism. This is the first year that Music Matters will have a vendor booth (stop by and say "hi!")+ a walk team (which you are very welcome to join!)

What to know before you go:
Where: Coney Island at 6201 Kellogg Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45228

When: Saturday, May 21st
8am= resource fair + registration /// 10am= walk time (1.5 miles) /// 11am= rides open!
Cost: You may join a team without cost, but may make donations to Autism Speaks

be aware!

2011-05-09T20:53:00.002-04:00

May 8th marked the beginning of the second annual Williams Syndrome awareness week. There are events being held all around the country during this time.
Taken from the association's website, "Williams syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. These occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music." You can read more about music therapy and WS here.

"f-r-i-e-n-d"

2011-05-02T23:01:00.004-04:00

Did you watch Mr. Rogers when you were young? I sure did. I loved the show. Today's Music Monday song reminds me of what he used to sing in his "You Are Special" song (you can take a stroll down memory lane and listen!)...specifically when he spells out "f-r-i-e-n-d." Aren't memories fun?
"You are My Friend" names attributes that are essential to a good friend. What do you value in your friendships?

YOU ARE MY FRIEND (here's the link to Bandcamp so you can listen!)
The winter needs snow,
And the ocean a boat.
A present and a bow
Your zipper and your coat
These work together
And make the other better
Just like me and you...

You are my friend, friend
With you I can spend time
Laughing, talking, playing, walking
In the bright sunshine
Attached to you just like there’s glue, holding us together
Nothing better
Than having a friend
I’m so glad you are my friend

A balloon needs air
And flowers need bees
Your head and your hair
Like trees and their leaves
These work together
And make the other better
Just like me and you...

You are my friend, friend
On you I can depend
To laugh, share, support, and care-
You always understand
Attached to you just like there’s glue, holding us together
Nothing better
Than having a friend
I’m so glad you are my friend

It's a safe place to be when I’m with you & you’re with me
my friend…I’m so glad you are my friend, friend…
my friend

waaaaay up high

2011-04-25T21:45:00.011-04:00

When I think about it, I can remember times I desperately wanted be called on during class as a youngster...and then there were also times I equally as desperately tried to avoid eye contact with a teacher in hopes that would make me invisible and unable to be called upon! Something else that sticks out is the way teachers would make it known that if you raised your hand wildly, waving it around like you're trying to land an airplane, would most definitely not get you chosen. Conversely, if a student would sit quietly, tall in her chair, with her arm raised nicely, she stood a great chance of being the lucky one to venture an answer.
It's been a looooong time since those memories [: )], but I'd imagine similar situations still exist in schools today. So what's the right way to go about raising your hand? When should you do it? How long does it stay up there? When do you get to talk?! Read (and listen at Bandcamp ) on...

~do you have any fun[ny] hand-raising memories?~

RAISE MY HAND UP
Ooh, ooh, ooh, I know the answer!
Ooh, ooh, ooh, I have a question!
Ooh, ooh, ooh, I have something to say!
But before I yell out words-
Stop…think…wait…

When I want to tell something,
Raise my hand up!
If I need to ask a question,
Raise my hand up!
If I know an answer,
Raise my hand up!
Raise it up high
Up to the sky
Reach up where the planes fly

Leave it up there and quietly wait
Until my name is called
Then it’s your turn to speak
And down may hand can fall.

But….when I want to tell something,
Raise your hand up, up, up
Raise your hand up!

april brings...

2011-04-01T08:40:00.001-04:00

yes, the sometimes needed (and sometimes not needed) showers. It also brings Autism Awareness month, which begins today. To learn more, visit the Autism Society of America.

tune in!

2011-03-31T11:32:00.002-04:00

This coming Sunday, April 3rd, the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will feature a special performance by Darius Rucker (Hootie!) and 25 members of ACM's Lifting Lives camp. The music camp for individuals with Williams Syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities, has been hosted by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for the last six years, until it was sponsorted by ACM last year. Lifting Lives works year round to improve lives through the power of music by funding nationwide programs offering music therapy and music education. Very, VERY cool!

keep it moving!

2011-03-28T21:28:00.007-04:00

Passing turns, giving turns, waiting turns- all very hard, right? I'll admit that I still sometimes have difficulty with the last one, especially in traffic! So is the case in many of my multi-kiddo sessions. Music is so fun that no one wants to share just one instrument and wait until it becomes available for the next turn! This song is great to use in a group setting (I'll get to some modifications in a bit). In it, I tried to embed instructions for each step of the passing and turn-taking process: physically passing, recognizing someone's turn, taking the turn, waiting while said turn is taken, then beginning again (and hopefully it's your turn to play this time!). I remember learning about and using many songs with similar teaching methods during my internship with Midwest Music Therapy Services in St. Louis. Something else I learned? Modifications and adaptions to activities are key! So for this particular intervention, a teacher, parent, or therapist could do the following to make this more suitable for their students/child(ren):

no instruments required! use a preferred toy.

use this as an opportunity to address answering "who" questions

when naming "who" has the instrument/toy/object, have the person named,as shown in the song, by students as well as the individual say "I do" or "me", practicing self-identification

young ones may need assistance to keep the passing going (or giving up the item to pass)

for those who are able, give a choice (using a sentence, please :) as to how the activity should be played- fast? slow? reversing passing direction? make it fun!!

If you try any of these- or have additional suggestions- feedback, as always, is great!

one more note: my music player is still not working, although I have been in contact with and am extremely pleased with customer service at Bandcamp! Very timely response, and helpful- although my problem is a weird thing with my new laptop, so I have to figure out why I can't embed the needed code (it may be a while, folks!). In the meantime, I'll provide links directly to "PASS 'ROUND THE CIRCLE" at Bandcamp. : )

bursting with fun

2011-03-21T21:34:00.012-04:00

Music Monday has taken to the air- it's all about bubbles today! A combination of a session plan, the spurt of warm weather, and a jar of bubbles sitting in my work bag pushed me toward this song...and I'm glad it did : ) Not many kiddos I know refuse bubbles, and I have seen lots of faces light up when a "bubbles" picture card has appeared on session schedules during the last week. I also love songs and activities that can serve multiple purposes. This can be used to: accompany blowing bubbles- why not take turns with a friend?; help work on breath support as those cool, clear circles are formed magically; request- from one word signs to 5 word phrases, it's always a great idea to practice asking for something fun; this one just (sorry for the pun) popped in my head: remember those gigantic bubble wands? Super way to target gross motor movement for upper extremities. Do you have any other ideas or have you used bubbles in another sneaky "this-is-fun-but-we're-still-working" sort of way? If so, please share!
ps: my lovely helpers are my doggies, Tess & Ellie- their first time with bubbles, and I have to say- kiddos are much more excited to see bubbles than the girls were : )

---Yes, there's something missing- it's not you! I'm not great at handling computer issues, and am not sure if I'm experiencing a problem with the music player or the blog; I can't seem to get the music player in this post...so...I hope you'll take the extra step to visit my Bandcamp page to listen or check out "Bubbles" posted on facebook---

BUBBLES
Take the lid off, open the jar
Pull the wand out….we are…
Gonna blow bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.
Take a deep breath, in through your nose
Now blow on the wand- and out the air goes…we are…
Making bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.

Magical, wonderful, beautiful
Circles floating in the air
Large and small-
I love them all
I love to play and watch without a care…
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.

So clear, I can see through
Lovely and shiny, too
Floating up and down; all around!
Landing, and when one goes “pop”
And the bubbles stop…I say, "I want more ..."
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.

MT Functioning in Rehab: in the news

2011-02-26T09:34:00.005-05:00

Many of you may follow the progress, or are aware, of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who suffered a brain injury when shot during an event in Tuscon on January 8th of this year. Frequent updates on her condition and progress are made available through a variety of media outlets, with some mentioning (however briefly) music therapy as one of the therapies Giffords is participating in. I have watched several videos as well as read articles, and thus far, I have enjoyed the video posted by ABC News online the most. You can watch it here (the timeframe 1:41 is when MT is mentioned : ). This documentation has done the best job as of yet (in my opinion) of any source reporting on this incident to articulate how MT is able to assist in neurorehabilitation. In another article I read, Gifford's mother stated that music therapy "really flipped the switch" for her daughter.
Considering the nature of her injury and placement in the rehabilitation unit (TIRR) of Memorial Hermann Hospital, Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) techniques seem a likely canditate to facilitate the (music) therapeutic process. Neurologic music therapists are trained in specific, researched techniques that apply music to cognitive, motor, and sensory areas of need, due to a disease or dysfunction of the nervous system. TBI (traumatic brain injury), such as that suffered by Rep. Giffords, fits in here. You can read a bit more about NMT here (click on the "Training Instutites" tab), as well as descriptions of therapeutic techniques used here (click on the "definitions" tab).
If you have other recommended sources that mention MT in this case, please do share!

reminder!

2011-02-09T09:12:00.002-05:00

It's that time again, folks! The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati Early Matters music therapy classes begin again this evening. We're changing locations this year, and will meet at 4527 Reading Road/ Cincinnati, Ohio. First class is 6:10-7pm and second is 7:10-8pm. You can contact the Down Syndrome at 513/761.5400 or contact me. : )

a tip on tuesday: get thee to the library!

2011-02-08T12:40:00.011-05:00

I love the library- always have, but (very unfortunately) my trips have dwindled as I've gotten older. My youngest brother and I are definitely the "readers" in my family (thanks to Mom!); we can both sit down and devour a 500-page book within a day (...a nice warm, breezy, sunshine-y summer day...how wonderful does that sound?! hurry up, weather!)
Shortly before my husband and I moved to northern Kentucky, the county library built a new, beautiful main building. When we became Boone County residents, I made sure that I had my library card. And besides the wonderfulness of checking out books, the latest and greatest perk is being able to download 3 FREE SONGS per WEEK, just for having a library account (that's 156 songs per year!). From my understanding, this is supported by tax dollars paid by residents of the county. The program is called Freegal, brought to you as a contract between Sony and a company called Library Ideas. It gives users access to tons of music in the Sony Music Catalog. You can browse by artist, song, or genre, and songs can be played on mp3 devices- yep, good with iTunes! As an avid song-purchaser, through iTunes whenever possible, and downloads there generally costing $1.29, just think:

purchasing 156 songs x $1.29 each= $201.24 spent (or saved!)
Now, not all artists or songs are available, as I learned when I began last week, but nonetheless- what a great resource! So for those of you in Boone County- get thee to the library if you don't already have a card (if you do, just head here); if you're not in my neck of the woods, ask your local library if they offer this program.
Happy reading--- and listening!

one last note:
I realize that some may not agree with this type of program available at an institution where lending is the key principle. You may want to read this, or do more research online. Thoughts?

Another Reason iLove iTunes

2010-11-04T12:24:00.005-04:00

Fellow music therapist, Betsey Nuseibeh at Melodic Connections recommended an e-newsletter, the CEC SmartBrief. This is sent daily by the Council for Exceptional Children and includes news articles, briefs, and updates within this community, from cities across the country. It's tag line is "News for special education professionals."
An edition from last week included a link to an article about Special Education products in Apple's App Store. There is a section devoted to tools to assist with learning, and includes 85 apps total for iPhone, iPod, and iPad, and covers areas such as communication, emotional development, and life skills. Follow this link to the artice; then click on the blue "Special Education" link, which will take you to the same-named section in iTunes.
I think it's a terrific idea on Apple's part; a ton of individuals I work with really enjoy technology. Have you had experiences with or do you use any of these apps? Please share your thoughts!

Halloween Day

2010-10-31T10:04:00.005-04:00

Happy Halloween to you! When I think about Halloween, I think back to 20ish years ago when my brother and I were able to visit our Grandma's neighborhood in Cincinnati and trick-or-treat there...in the eyes of a kid, much better than our small town! And as an added bonus, if our costume required makeup or face paint, Gram was an expert. However, since we were in "the city," Mom and Dad made sure that we stayed together, walked to houses at the same time, and when we were finished, all of our goodies were sprawled out on the dining room table for inspection. "Today is Halloween" addresses such topics--- Halloween rules, if you will, for a safe time. I'm sure many of you remember similar directions from your parents and may now be enforcing them with your own!

All childhood fun aside, I have never ever liked the feeling of being scared (in fact, I'd say I'm scared of being scared!), and am not a fan of the overly sweet myriad of treats, so aside from seasonal decorating, Halloween is pushed down on my "fave" list of holidays. I much prefer cozy family-centered celebrations...which are creeping into our calendars!

TODAY IS HALLOWEEN
It’s the end of October,
Day 31.
Today is Halloween,
And it’s time for some fun.
We can wear a costume
And there’s candy, too.
Halloween fun for me and you

We can dress up and pretend
As we wear our costumes, my friend
A pirate, a princess, or a ghost that says “boo!”-
The choice of costume is up to you.

Stay with your family,
And together you’ll walk down the streets
Ring doorbells at homes
And when someone answers, say “trick or treat!”

When you get home
Give your trick or treat bag to mom and dad
To make sure all the candy is safe
And you'll talk about the fun you just had.

just accept it

2010-09-27T09:39:00.001-04:00

A compliment, that is : ). Fellow music therapist and super blogger Rachel Rambach at Listen Learn Music has a great "Compliment" song that you can listen to here; I found it very appropriate to use with one of my students. However, after some non-music reading that I've been doing lately about Asperger's and social skills, especially conversations, I realized that a complement to the Compliment song (nice use of a homophone, huh?) could be a good thing. That is, someone gives you a compliment- great!- but how do you respond? That's where "Smile and Thank You" comes in. I used both songs, followed by opportunities to make flash card examples of compliments, and discuss variations of saying "Thank you." Take a listen and see what you think!
ps: after recommendations from colleagues, songs will now be hosted at Bandcamp, so here's to successful posting and listening!

<a href="http://katelegge.bandcamp.com/track/smile-and-thank-you">Smile and Thank You by Kate Legge, MT-BC, NMT</a>

5 and Going Strong!

2010-09-17T09:31:00.004-04:00

A year has gone by quickly and next Saturday, Families with ASD hosts their [wonderful!] 5th annual Autism Expo. This FREE event gathers service providers from the Cincinnati Tri-State area under one roof, allowing families to access a wide variety of information in a single location, as well as speakers and family activities...sans charge- no payment- zero cost. Attendees will also receive the 2010 edition of the Autism Yellow Pages, created by Families with ASD for...[drumroll, please]...free! This is a great printed resource of service providers, organizations, and physicians who work with those on the autism spectrum.

I will be there, providing lots of interesting information at Music Matters' table. If you can make it, stop by and say "hi," and I hope that you'll walk away from the event with a good deal of valuable information.

What to know before you go:

What: Families with ASD 5th annual Autism Expo

Where: Live Oaks Campus= 5956 Buckwheat Road / Milford, Ohio

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: did I mention that this is a FREE event? : )

To learn more about FASD and the Expo, please visit http://www.familieswithasd.org/home or http://www.familieswithasd.org/autism_expo.

Awareness at 2010 Emmy Awards

2010-08-30T11:12:00.004-04:00

HBO's biopic (a biographical motion picture) "Temple Grandin" won 5 out of its 7 nominated categories at the 2010 Emmy Awards, including: outstanding music composition for a miniseries, movie, or a special; outstanding made for television movie; as well as nods to the director, supporting actor and actess, and lead actress.
You can read a bit here or watch a red carpet interview with Temple Grandin on YouTube.

my english teacher would be proud

2010-07-26T09:47:00.008-04:00

English was one of my favorite subjects when I was younger. In high school, I was on the English team of the academic team, and two terms stick out at me when I think of this new song....get ready...."alliteration" and "onomatopoeia." The first refers to the repetition of the same initial consonant sound of at least two words in close proximity to each other; the second refers to a word that imitates a sound it represents. Within "Pop-Pop-Popsicle" the /p/ sound is being alliterated (although I think I may have made that term up : ) and the "pop" sound is the example of onomatopoeia. Something different for you, but enough of the English lesson...
I've used this song as an accompaniment to instrument play- ie: drums, and playing 'pop-like' sounds during the chorus- but it's original intent is as a speech-sound song, to address initial and final productions of the /p/ sound---within a fun, summer-time song. I've also thought to target color identification with visual aides of colored popsicles. Another fun idea would be to move around with colored scarves and 'pop' the in the air during the appropriate times.
Do you have any other suggestions for this song's use? I'd love to hear them!

POP-POP-POPSICLE
When I feel the summertime heat
The sun beating down so hot
I want to enjoy a nice cool treat,
You know I really love it a lot
Red, orange, blue,
Purple and green, too
Different colors and flavors to eat
When I enjoy this summertime treat.

In my mouth, icy and cold
Pop, pop, Popsicle
Fun to enjoy if you’re young or old
Pop, pop, Popsicle
Unwrap it, push it up, or eat it off a stick
So tasty it’ll be gone quick

Popsicle, Popsicle, pop, pop, pop,
Popsicle, Popsicle, pop, pop, pop.
Popsicle, Popsicle, pop, pop, pop,
Popsicle, Popsicle, pop, pop, pop.

Batter Up!

2010-06-09T14:40:00.003-04:00

Yes, I'm still here (although I was out of town last week...but that's a post-to-be)! A friendly reminder, friends,that this Sunday, June 13th is the Florence Freedom baseball game benefitting Generation Rescue's grant program... and yours truly will be kicking off the game by singing the National Anthem. I'm thankful to be included in this great event. Click here to buy tickets. Hope to see you there!

Shining SO Brightly

2010-05-10T19:21:00.008-04:00

The Cincinnati Center for Autism held it's 6th annual Night of the Stars Gala a few Thursdays ago, on April 22nd. Staff and dedicated volunteers worked their tails off to present those in attendance with a fabulous environment and program. This fundraiser helps to fund the Center's scholarship program.

Very appropriately, today's Music Monday is "Twinkle Little Star," played by a student of mine at CCA, Alex. He and I work together on piano skills twice a week, and he is shining...as do many of the kiddos at the Center! In addition to the star-themed song selection, there are photos of the Night of the Stars on Facebook.

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR

Save these dates!

2010-05-10T11:45:00.001-04:00

There are many events, either benefitting or including special needs individuals, taking place in the Tri-State within the next few months. Explore the links provided, and I hope to see you out and about at some of these happenings!

Williams Syndrome Association: The first national Williams Syndrome Awareness Week kicked off yesterday and runs through the 15th.

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati : Visit DSAGC's calendar page to see many of their upcoming events, including a run & walk. The next MT class is June 9th.

Autism Speaks: Cincinnati's Walk Now for Autism / Autism Walk is Saturday, May 22nd at Coney Island. Registration begins at 8:00am and the walk at 10:00am. In addition to the walk, service providers will be in attendance, and I believe that rides will be open again this year after the walk. I'll unfortunately miss this year's walk. Boo to not attending, but my brother-in-law graduates from college the same day- yay to that!

CCA: The center is offering Teen Night Out on Saturday, May 15th and Parent's Night Out the following Saturday on the 22nd. More information is available here. The 2nd Annual Charity (Motorcycle) Ride will be coming up shortly, also.

Autism 4 Families: A Northern Kentucky organization. Support group meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month 6-8:00pm at Dave's Beanery in Florence. On May 29th, ladies from A4F will be at the Boone County Fairgrounds to sell autism awareness items at BAWAC Craft Show.

Generation Rescue: On June 13th, the Florence Freedom game will benefit Generation Rescue and promote Autism Awareness. Come enjoy a Sunday evening of baseball and support an awesome cause. The game begins at 6:05- gates open 1 hour before- and I believe yours truly is scheduled to be singing the National Anthem! Buy tickets HERE; they're only $10, and by purchasing through this link, Generation Rescue will receive $5.00 of each ticket!

If I've inadvertently missed something big or if you have something that you'd like me to include, please contact me and I'd be happy to share !

The Climb

2010-04-20T08:52:00.005-04:00

The Cincinnati Enquirer published a recent article featuring Matt Brennan and his family. I provide music therapy services to children at the Cincinnati Center for Autism 4 days each week. Without the Brennans, however, I may not have the opportunity to do so...you see, the Brennans founded CCA.
Please take a moment to read the story; you'll see how the Brennans are climbing in more way than one. It's a terrific example of the love, determination, and genersity of a great family, and hopefully it will also be an inspiration to others.

It's also been run just in time to coincide with CCA's annual fundraising event, The Night of the Stars. This is the 6th year of the gala, which raises money for the Center's scholarship program to help famillies pay for services.

What to know before you go:
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Time: Cocktails @ 6:00 / Dinner @ 7:00
Location: Oasis Golf Club & Conference Center / 902 Loveland Miamiville Road / Loveland, OH
Cost: $75.00/ ticket- may be purchased at the door
Other: Business attire / silent auction items / chance to win $10,000 if you're name is drawn & you can put a hole-in-one!
Contact: info@cincinnaticenterforautism.com or 513. 874. 6789

I Like to Move It, Move It

2010-04-12T10:01:00.008-04:00

The title of this post is half true [and a fun nod to my new friend Colin]. I've spent the last few weeks in a combination of being out of town at my sister-in-law's beautiful wedding in sunny L.A., then returning home, packing up my home, and moving to a new home. I adore our new house [the half truth about the post title], but the process of moving has been quite a feat [why I don't like to move it,move it]! I keep telling everyone that you never realize how much you own until you have to box it all, and then unpack and store it. Oh, and we've had all 10 of our dog Tess's puppies during the move, although all but 2 [we're keeping a girl- Ellie, who you will see photos of- and one boy who will go to his new home this week] are now with their new families.
I figured that with the craziness, I might miss a post or maybe even two, but never did I intend for a month to go by! Although my office materials are still pretty scattered, I've fished out the necessities so I can once again record and share activities with you- the purpose of the blog!
The song I'm sharing today is one I've had in my collection since I wrote it to target an IEP goal, way back during my internship in St. Louis...and although I may be biased, I think it is has the opportunity to be pretty effective. Case in point: I can still recite the original information it was meant to teach, which was the student's address and phone number. I thought this was pretty fitting to the theme of the post, since I now have a new address and phone number to remember.
The photos show the visual aide that accompanies this song, and allows students to place strips containing their address/phone number information in the correct sequence while participating in the song.

ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER SONG
I can say my address,
I know it very well.
It’s (number) (Street)
(City) (State) (Zip Code).

I also know my phone number,
It’s quite easy to say.
If you need to call me,
This is what you dial:
(Area code) (###-####).

A Classic Revisited, Part 2

2010-03-01T13:28:00.008-05:00

Happy March, everyone! I hope wherever you are, this month brings some nice weather your way. I think it's pretty safe to say that most Greater Cincinnatians are ready for some sunshine! I'm really excited for that seemingly-long-lost golden star, and I think it's also pretty safe to say that I'll be experiencing some warm rays when I visit my sister-in-law for her wedding in California in just a few weeks.
But back to music therapy! Remember the classic Sesame Street song, "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?" that I shared way back in October? Today I give you part 2 of the same song. Like the previous post, today's includes both original as well as modified verses.
I still have a few remaining verses that haven't been added into either part 1 or 2 of the song...Can you think of any other community helpers who should be included?
As a side note- I'm almost back to 100% vocal health, yay!

PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood
In your neighborhood
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day.

Oh, a dentist cares for all your teeth
The top ones and the ones beneath
So if you if you have an achy tooth,
I’ll check it quick and that’s the truth

If a story’s breaking she’ll be there
Find out who, and what, and where
She shares important interviews
She’s the news anchor on the news

A barber has a great big chair
You sit in it, he cuts your hair
He'll snip and clip and never rest
Until your haircut looks its best

Oh, a fireman is brave it's said
His fire truck is shiny red
If there's a fire anywhere about
He’ll be sure to put it out

The cook is the one who makes
Food like pizza, soup, and cakes
If you want something to eat, you’ll see
A cook makes food that’s so yummy

END:
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood
In your neighborhood
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
They’re the people that you meet
When you’re walking down the street
The people that you meet each day

me, Me, ME!

2010-02-22T19:19:00.004-05:00

Who is ready for winter weather to be finished? Oh, that would be me! I don't mind winter, really...I actually enjoy it for a little while. But lately, we've had snow on top of snow on top of snow here in greater Cincinnati (and now for fun, some rain!), which means I've had lots of cancellations and am now on my second sinus infection. Yay!
Even with some missed work, it's still been a busy time for me. We are in the process of purchasing a new home, selling our current one, and our doggie- Tess- had 10 black lab puppies on the 11th!
I've tried, during time off, to record some songs...but amidst coughing and a less-than-remarkable singing voice, I decided to wait until I'm cleared up to tackle them. : ) So today, I want to share a family/children's artist with you, and his voice is definitely up to par! He's one of my favorites, and a song of his has been a constant request by one of my kiddos for the month or so. Here's the scoop:
Chicago-based Justin Roberts is a one of a kind, sometimes laugh-out-loud-to-his-lyrics, James Taylor-ish sounding singer/songwriter/performer. I was introduced to him while working with Midwest Music Therapy Services, and he's a staple in both my iPod and guitar repertiore. He tours the country with his band, the Not Ready for Naptime Players- cute, right?
The song I reeealy wanted to share with you- my kiddo Noah's current favorite- is "Tickle My Toes", but I can't find a video. You can listen to it on Lala or buy on iTunes, though. The video that I am sharing is for "Pop Fly;" a nice reminder that summer and all of the great things that come with it, will eventually be here! (isn't it awful when you're excited to see the sun on a YouTube video??)
A few of my other Justin Roberts' faves are "In the Car," "Hey Hippopotamus," and "Apple Tree." I hope you enjoy and hopefully I'll be back to sing for you next week!

Look...I'm Dancing!

2010-02-08T13:04:00.005-05:00

This week's song combines two favorites- one is a favorite of many of my students, and the other is one of mine: dancing and working on eye contact, respectively. I'm sure many of you reading- whether you're a parent, educator, or fellow music therapist- have some sort of experience with and/or can relate to what I'm saying. Children love, love, LOVE to move around and we love it when we receive great eye contact. So, on to explain the combination...it's very simple, really. I preface the movement activity with instructions similar to "When you hear the music, you can dance; but when the music stops, your body stops moving, and eyes look at (insert name of desired recipient of eye contact)." In the beginning stages of the song, I typically ask for eye contact to be made with me, especially if there are more than 3-ish students in a group. However when students progress, and/or there are only a few students, I may name a peer to look at or have all students make eye contact with one another. After the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown is given (remember this from the tips last week?), I may use the sung cue "eyes look," which is also listed below for you. It's also a helpful tag line that can be used outside of this song, when prompting for eye contact. One of my students fills in "look" and correctly finds my eyes when I sing "Eyes..." : )
Put your dancin' shoes on and enjoy!

DANCIN' AROUND
We’re rockin’ and rollin’ around the room,
Movin’ and groovin’ around the room,
Shakin’ and spinnin’ around the room,
Dancing is so fun to do, ooh, ooh.
Get your body ready to move, move, move,
And you’ll get into the groove, groove, groove.
When the music stops, you know what to do:
Your eyes will look at me,
And my eyes will look at you

EYES LOOK

Tips and Tricks

2010-02-01T20:29:00.001-05:00

I have been fortunate to have received great instruction from professors and colleagues. So I thought that today, I'd pass on some of that knowledge to you! I'll share two very short "songs" with you; and I say "songs" with quotations, because they aren't quite songs. Mini-songs, maybe. Song-etts? Whatever you want to call them, they are short melodies that are used for teaching purposes, and mostly used at some sort of transition or when an instruction is given.
First is the tune of "Happy and You Know It;" easy for students and staff alike to sing and remember. I use it most often during group instrument play. When the time has come to stop play (and the next tune comes in handy here!), students may be instructed to place their instruments on the floor. This gives a concrete statement that the instrument is finished, and keeps the environment a little more quiet and controlled while I either ask a student to collect instruments from peers or each student to individually put his/her instrument away. It's a great part of the routine now, and students sing along if they are able!
Next, you'll hear a countdown that I use DAILY and typically often througout the day. I learned this 'trick' if you will, during my internship with the wonderful therapists at Midwest Music Therapy Services. When an activity is coming to an end, prepare a student to stop by using this simple descending scale. Whether it is playing with instruments, participating in a dancing activity, or singing a song, I have seen such great success that students use it independently! (which is what music therapists strive for: create musical interventions that help an individual transfer a concept to daily life).
I hope that you may find use for these tips, either at home or school. If you experiment with either, I'd love to hear feedback about it, as well as any tricks you'd like to share!

INSTRUMENTS ON THE FLOOR

5-4-3-2-1 COUNTDOWN

Music Monday: Hello

2010-01-25T21:59:00.001-05:00

I try my best to post activities at the beginning of the week, and I've been pretty successful at signing in on Monday or Tuesday. I've found a way to make myself be as consistent as possible (it's always great to become a tad bit more organized!):
One of my Monday students and I work after school together on the keyboard. He loves to come see me for "Music Monday." He and his family came up with the name so he knew what to expect on Monday- cute & creative, right? I sure thought it was; I also thought it sounded like the title of a great new "Hello" song, and now the title of the posts I share with you.
I wanted to keep the song on the short side, with a simple melody, because this allows my student to play the adaptive piano sheet (which hints at another day of music-sharing that I'm preparing for you) while we sing "Hello" together.
So without further ado, I give you the first song in the now-named "Music Monday" series of song posts. Enjoy and have a great Monday!

MUSIC MONDAY
It's time for Music Monday,
We'll have ourselves a fun day.
We'll sing, and dance, and play
With instruments, too.

It's time for Music Monday,
But first things first
We will say,
"Hi" to me and "Hi" to you!
(either say or sing "Hi" and then repeat to end)

Although dubbed Music Monday, it's simple to substitute any day of the week into this opening song. In fact, I also see this student on the weekend and we have "Music Saturday" together. : )

Proud to be an Ace!

2010-01-18T12:56:00.007-05:00

That's the mascot of my alma mater, the University of Evansville. I didn't start my collegiate studies at UE, however. After beginning my studies in a non-musical field at IU in Bloomington, I realized that music needed to be a part of my career. I researched music therapy after a tip from a family friend and then found UE. While transferring from a school with roughly 35,000 students to a student population maybe a tenth of that- and leaving friends to knowing one person!- was a drastic change, I settled in quite well. Music therapy is a perfect fit for me, and I'm so thankful that I was pointed in this direction.

I had wonderful instruction at UE's music department, thanks to wonderful professors. Dr. Mary Ellen Wylie heads the music therapy department, and I'm so excited to announce that she was just voted as AMTA's (American Music Therapy Association) newest President-elect. Congratulations, Dr. Wylie! I know that many UE students, past and present, are proud of you.

Music?-check. Venue?-check. Great Cause?- you bet!

2010-01-14T17:03:00.008-05:00

Families with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) is hosting its first ever "Amped for Autism" Autism Ball next Friday. It's sure to be a good time, with live performances that include some important folks from CCA, as well as a special appearance by some members of Melodic Connections' adult group. There will also be a silent auction, with great items to bid on.

Invite friends, family, and have a night out to benefit a very worthy cause!

What to know before you go:

Time: Doors at 7:30. Melodic Connections is the first performance, at 8:00.

Location: Southgate House- 24 East Third Street Newport, KY.

Cost: $7.00 (21+), $10.00 (18-20)

Ages: 18+

ALL proceeds will directly support Families with ASD.

One

2010-01-11T12:49:00.008-05:00

You may remember a birthday-related song that was posted last month. While December bombards my family with birthdays, January brings some relief. However, there is a certain birthday that I'm looking forward to on Friday- Music Matters celebrates turning one!

Time does pass so quickly. While I've been working as a music therapist since the completion of my internship in the first half of 2006, I've only been my own boss for not quite a quarter of that time. I must say, that I try to be thankful each day that I made the decision to form my own company. I have been blessed to work with amazing families and their children, as well as other therapists and educators. Thanks to all of you, for allowing me to write this post and celebrate one year! It will be very exciting to look back at this time next year and see what 2010 has graced me with.

In (advance) honor of the day, I'm sharing another birthday tune with you. Focusing on birthday candles, this may used a few days leading up to a party or the introduction of a cake, to help prepare for blowing candles out. As you can see in the accompanying photo, there are plenty of spaces to add more candles.

BLOW THE CANDLES OUT
CHORUS:
Candles on a birthday cake,
Close my eyes, and a wish I’ll make
Take a deep breath and ready-set-go!
Blow….blow the candles out!

Each candle on my birthday cake stands for a year
Of my life that I’ve been here
Every year there’s one more candle for me,
Lighting the cake for all to see.

CHORUS

This year is my (#) birthday,
So, on the cake, (#) candles we’ll place.
Let’s count the candles nice and slow,
Ready- set-go!

CHORUS

Families with ASD: January Support Group Meeting

2010-01-08T13:15:00.004-05:00

Next Friday, January 15th, Kate will be speaking at Families with ASD's first support meeting of 2010. Topic of discussion will focus on music therapy and its use to aid children with autism.

What to know before you go:
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm. Kate will speak for the first 30 minutes of the meeting
Location: Connections Christian Church, 7421 East Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243. Approximately one mile from Kenwood Towne Center
Ages: All families welcome!
More details available here

Saturday Social Skills @ CCA

2010-01-05T14:49:00.006-05:00

Try to say that five times fast! [ I did, and got tongue-tied on the fourth time : ) ]. This announcement is just as fun: The winter session of the Amazing Amigos social skills program, lead by yours truly, resumes Saturday January 9th and ends on February 27th. The one-and-a-half hour small group class uses a variety of music-based activities to encourage socialization with peers, and also includes snack time and opportunities for gross-motor movement. Class size is limited, and only a few spots remain, so please contact CCA for more information and to register.

What to know before you go:
Location: Cincinnati Center for Autism in Fairfield, OH
Time: 11:30-1:00, Saturdays
Age: 3-5 year old

* NEW CLASS OFFERED *

2010-01-05T12:28:00.004-05:00

I'm happy to announce that in conjunction with DSAGC- the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati- I will begin leading a monthly evening music therapy class for young children. Classes will be held at Crossroads Community Church in Oakley, 5300 Madison Road, at 6:30pm, and will occur on the second Wednesday of the month. January's class is Wednesday the 13th.
Contact DSAGC at (513) 761.5400 for more information, all class dates, and to reserve your place!

20+10=Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T12:10:00.000-05:00

Wow...that will take some getting used to! No more "oh-eight" or "oh-nine," but "twenty-ten!" I don't quite yet know how I like the sound of it...but...I'd better get used to it, because I think it's here to stay! : )

For many of us this time of year, mistakes are abundant when writing or saying the date, as we revert to the previous year that we've grown accustomed to. So, if it's hard for us to keep the year straight, imagine what a confusing situation this might pose for our chidren or students with special needs!

This is the first New Year song I've written, and I approached it from the angle of recycling; that is, it isn't numeric-year specific, so it can be reused New Year-to-New Year. Isn't reusing and recycling great? I also wanted this song to emphasize how the New Year works from a calendar perspective. It's the same every year and a fact that after December comes January, and with January comes a new year.

Regardless of how I feel about the sound of our new decade, I'm going to say that it will be a great year. Looking at my calendar, short- and long-term, it will be a busy one too, but bring it on 2010!
I hope all of you have great visions for the next 12 months, and I wish you a happy, healthy New Year!

2010 IS HERE
It’s time to ring in the New Year-
Now 2010 is here.
When December 31st is done,
The next day is January 1.
The calendar adds one more year, and
Now 2010 is here.

The month of January starts a brand new year,
And the other months follow along.
Sing it loud for all to hear,
This is the New Year song.

January, February, March, April, and May
Then June, July, August, and September
October, November, and in December
After that very last day,
We’ll sing together and say…

It’s time to ring in the New Year-
Now 2010 is here.
When December 31st is done,
The next day is January 1 .
The calendar adds one more year. and
Now 2010 is here.

Let it Snow!

2009-12-28T15:52:00.005-05:00

While I'm sad to give up my Christmas tunes- especially Straight No Chaser, I am happy that the tri-state once again has a small dusting of snow, and that I've spent some great time with family and friends. It just doesn't seem complete this festive time of year when the ground is covered with a yucky faded greenish-brownish tint, instead of sparkling white...at least in my eyes!

I happened upon this cute activity on a website called Mommy & Me. The original suggests corresponding movements and mentions using this as an opportunity to discuss parts of a house as well as concepts of up/down, inside/outside. And the tune is a very recognizable "Farmer In the Dell." I decided to take it a few steps further by slightly altering and expanding the lyrics, as well as making a visual to go along with the song. You'll see in the accompanying picture that my cardstock "snow" can be moved to various locations of handy-dandy Velcro. As I sing about snow in one location, I often model placement of the snow for students. I'll follow that verse with lines of "Put the snow on the ___, Put the snow on the ___, White snow is everywhere, Put the snow on the ___," using the same melody.

And as for my love of Christmas music...if you'd happen to pop into my car or catch a glimpse of my iPod, you might just catch me sneaking in some holiday songs and stretching out the season! I hope you've enjoyed yours!

THE SNOW IS ON THE ROOF
The snow is on the roof
The snow is on the roof
White snow is everywhere
The snow is on the roof

Additional verses include snow on the: tree, window, door, sidewalk, car, street, ground

'Tis the Season..

2009-12-24T12:58:00.007-05:00

..for sharing! It's also important year-round, but much emphasis is placed on acts of charity and goodwill toward others this time of year. At work, sharing and turn-taking is somehow included in each of my group sessions as well as 1:1's.

I used a song of the season, and one with a very familiar tune- Jingle Bells- and reworked the lyrics to instruct how to play and what to do when giving a turn. It's a little tricky, because when I begin the song, it sounds just like the original...until the change in lyrics! I have to say that during the last few weeks, my students have gotten good at remembering some of the "new" lyrics, and even singing along. Sometimes I catch myself mixing up words when I go back to singing the real version : )

Students play jingle bells and pass them to each other, as they share and take turns. A few notes and modifications are listed below.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. I hope you share good times with friends and family!

SHARING JINGLE BELLS

Jingle bells, jingle bells

We shake, shake 'em today

Oh what fun it is to share with friends while we play

Jingle bells, jingle bells

(Name) shake, shake 'em today

Take your turn, and when you're done

5-4-3-2-1-stop!

Give to a friend and say "It's your turn!"

notes:

~I typically insert students' names into the song, where appropriate.

~The last line can be modified per the ability of students. If able, students may choose a peer, or I might select a peer's name and insert where "a friend" is.

~Encourage students to make eye contact when giving an instrument and saying "Your turn."

10 Birthdays

2009-12-15T07:54:00.000-05:00

Yup..10...That's the number of birthdays I will celebrate with (mostly) family and friends during the month of December- including mine next week!

So to keep up with all of the festivities- we attended 2 birthday parties last weekend!- I decided to stray from a holiday-themed song and instead share a birthday-related one. It works, too, because I've been working a lot on this topic with some of my students, which is appropriately answering the questions "How old are you?" It seems to become troublesome, because it's so similar to "How are you?" Already, one student is doing a great job of answering the former question correctly, when paired with this song.

While there are some of us who would rather not answer the question (truthfully), it's very important for kids to understand the concept of age, especially as it changes from year to year!

I AM (_) YEARS OLD
Every year we get a little bit older,
We add one number to our age
Every year we have a birthday,
That day stays the same, but our age will change.
Think about it, you’ll know what to do
When someone says, “How old are you?”
You say…

I am ___ years old,
This year I am ___ years old.
I am ___ years old,
This year I am ___ years old.
This year I am ___ years old.

Perfect Timing!

2009-12-07T10:41:00.003-05:00

I couldn't have timed today's song any better, even if I had planned it...which I did, actually...but didn't know about the weather : ). Greater Cincinnati got it's first dusting of snow this morning, so along with the headache of traffic delays comes something much more enjoyable- singing about the snow!

At work, I try to include at least one counting activity that centers around each holiday or season. So naturally, December begs for some snowy songs. I search online for simple pictures if I can't find what I need on Boardmaker, Word ClipArt, or through my own drawing skills. Small strips of Velcro are attached to the backside of each individual picture, which makes it great for accessible, no-budge counting manipulatives (in my experience, music therapists could buy stock in Velcro!). A specified number is attached to a surface with opposite-surfaced Velcro, and the counting begins!

COUNTING SNOWFLAKES
Snowflakes, snowflakes
Falling down
From the sky onto the ground
In a drift or on branches of a tree
How many snowflakes do you see?
Count them for me. *
I see...

*Depending upon the student, I may say "Count and give (specified number) to me" or "Point and count for me."

Diciembre, Dezember, Dicembre...December!

2009-12-01T07:59:00.000-05:00

If you are like me, you're finding it hard to believe that today is the first day of the last month of the year...December is officially here!

Looking back on the year, I found myself in many new positions...one being that instead of simply providing circle time songs for teachers and classrooms, I present these songs live as I lead a few circles myself. During these times, an opportunity to greet one another as well as sing about days' events- namely calendar and weather related- arise.

This turned out to be a great change for me; I realized that some songs needed to be re-vamped or simply constructed from scratch. One such topic under construction is that of months. I have some cute songs in my bag of tricks, but they all lumped the months together within a single song. I found that I needed a song to sing about each month individually...so I give you "It is December".

The song can be used from month to month (and so the title changes slightly), simply by substituting month names, and specific happenings of the month. The melody is to the approximate tune of "Twinkle Little Star", so it's super easy for kids to sing along with and remember- teachers too!

Time sure goes by quickly; I hope you enjoy your December!

IT IS DECEMBER
The month of November has come to an end;
Now it is December, my friends.
The 12th and last month of the year;
Soon Christmas and snowy days will be here.
The month of November has come to an end;
Now it is December, my friends.

One more note: The repetitive lyrics of "Now it is..." is great for filling in the blank. Often after singing, I'll repeat the last line and leave the word 'December' for students to fill in.

Pace Yourself...

2009-11-26T10:09:00.001-05:00

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, how many of you follow that idea? Again, we're back to the topic of stop-wait-go, this time within a song about eating Thanksgiving foods. You can insert foods chosen by your children or students- either verbally or with picture cards, or discuss preferred (and non-preferred) Thanksgiving foods. I started with dinner and worked my way to dessert!

The more I use this type of activity with my students, the more familar they become with expectations, and in turn the better they become with the skill of stopping and waiting. That's something to be glad about

A very Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friends!

THANKSGIVING PLATE
On Thanksgiving Day,
There’s lots of food to be had,
It's also a time to give thanks and be glad
I’ve got piles of mashed potatoes and turkey on my plate *
I eat sooo much
Mom tells me to STOP and WAIT- take a break….
OK, now you can have some more.

[LAST VERSE ADD: But my tummy's sooo full, that I'm all done!]

* Change food each verse:
Cranberry sauce and rolls
Spoonfuls of stuffing
A big piece of pumpkin pie

With Thanks

2009-11-25T08:55:00.002-05:00

YAY! The music returns...silly technology!
In the days leading up to Thanksgiving- actually for the past week or so- I've been trying to make an effort to state at least one thing each day that I'm thankful for. I have enjoyed doing so, as it's really shown me how many blessings I have in my life. My Saturday thanks was for all of the wonderful families I am able to work with and the joy and learning that is spread through the use of music. I love, love, love my job!

So with that...this week's song: I was introduced to this tune during my internship with therapists at Midwest Music Therapy Services in St. Louis. Since then, I have shared it with my students each year around Thanksgiving. The song is by Hap Palmer; I think it's a very beautiful one, and a great way of sharing what we are thankful for. You can start a good conversation around this topic, offering picture choices (food, family, friends, toys, specific liked items) if appropriate.
This is my version; you can buy the original on Hap Palmer's website (where the lyrics are also provided) or iTunes.

THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR
There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are

I'm thankful for my family
I'm thankful for my friends
I'm thankful for my teachers
And I'm thankful to be me.

There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are

I'm thankful for _____
I'm thankful for _____
I'm thankful for _____
And I'm thankful to be me.

There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are
Let me tell you what they are.

Thanks and Sharing

2009-11-23T10:51:00.005-05:00

Thanks to my great-uncle, who was kind enough to think of me last week. He's been spending some time down in lovely Florida ( lucky! ), came across an article in a local newspaper, and mailed it to me, along with a lovely note.

The article begins in an ordinary manner, about an 18-year-old boy who has joined his high school's marching band. After reading just a bit, you learn that this young man is diagnosed with autism, Williams Syndrome, and a rare neurodevelopmental disorder.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this student's love of music and success among his peers...I hope you will too! You can read more here.

Maintenance

2009-11-23T10:38:00.002-05:00

Hi there! I'm still here, just experiencing some difficulties with the service that hosts my audio files. At the moment, I am unable to post new songs and, unfortunately, the previous posts are not playing either. Please be patient and check back in soon. In the meantime, enjoy the non-auditory information I have to share with you!

I Heart Fall

2009-11-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

I really do! Fall is by far my favorite season. I think what I enjoy most are the feelings that I associate with the change in weather- the coziness of blankets against the crispness of the air, the crispness and freshness of the air itself, yummy comfort food, family-oriented holidays that are approaching, and my love for jeans and sweaters...not to mention the beautiful colors of leaves!

What do you love about fall? Well, this song addresses just that question. It can be used to teach properties and happenings of the season and also as an opportunity for question and answer time. I made pictures to illustrate the topics in each verse, so students can choose their favorite thing via a photo and/or answer verbally. I also wrote out the question, "What do you like about fall?" and the starter answer, "I like __" on cardstock for students who are working on short conversational exchanges.
We've had some interesting fall weather, but it's been great lately. Happy fall!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT FALL?

What do you like about fall?
Could it be your favorite season of all?
What do you like about fall?
Let’s sing this song,
And we’ll name all
The things we like about fall!

Fall brings us back to school again
There, we see our teachers and friends
Time again to ride the big yellow bus that
Stops at my house to pick me up

Fall brings us cool weather in the air
Jacket and long pants we’re sure to wear
We’ve got nice weather to play outside during the day
And nighttime blankets keep the cold away

Fall brings us pumpkins orange and round,
On these holidays they abound:
A jack o’lantern with a face on Halloween- oh my!
When Thanksgiving comes, eat that pumpkin in a pie!

Fall brings us leaves falling to the ground,
The colors change from green to red, orange and brown
Raked into a big pile on the lawn
Playing in the fall leaves is so much fun!

Fall brings us food we like to eat
Like candy when we trick or treat
Or shiny red apples on a tree
Yummy fruit for you and me

What's New at CCA?

2009-11-02T10:09:00.002-05:00

I spend a few days each week at Cincinnati Center for Autism (CCA). It's a terrific facility located in Fairfield, Ohio. Check out the latest newsletter, which includes music therapy services.

Just in Time...

2009-11-02T09:00:00.007-05:00

Now that Halloween is over, we are faced with two things: getting ready for Thanksgiving and all of the leftover candy! I don't quite remember what it was like after Halloween as a child, candy-wise. I know that I had to be a sucker for the chocolate goodies, and then not pay so much attention to the remaining candy in my plastic orange pumpkin. I also know that my brothers and I would not have been given the opportunity to eat loads of sweets in one sitting. What I'm not quite sure of is...what happened to all of the candy? I vaguely remember nearing Easter time and getting rid of Halloween-wrapped treats that had not been eaten!
For those who can't satisfy their sweet tooth enough, "Halloween Candy" is a good listen for you. It again targets the skill of stopping (during music therapy sessions- instrument play; in every day situations- it could be eating candy!) and waiting, this time while singing about eating Halloween treats. I've been using this song with my students a few weeks before Halloween, but it's a good one to keep around just a little while longer to address what they have experienced first-hand.
Hope you had a sweet Halloween!

HALLOWEEN CANDY
Halloween candy in my bag from trick or treat,
Lots of candy for me to eat
I eat and eat and eat a lot
Until my mom cries, “Stop!”

A Classic Revisited- Part 1

2009-10-22T14:03:00.007-04:00

Time for this week's bonus song! Anyone else a big Sesame Street fan? This is one of the only shows I watched when I was young- probably partly due to my parents' good taste combined with the lack of 1,000 programs and cartoons that exist today! And it's also where I learned soooo much: to count like The Count, that "C" is for cookie, and I can still sing the counting song in Spanish. Notice 2/3 of these are songs : ). I also learned to recognize people in the community...which is the song I'm sharing with you today. "People in Your Neighborhood" is such a great tool for teaching some identifying characteristics of community workers. When presenting this during music therapy sessions, pictures of these people are used for identification.

I kept some verses untouched, slightly modified others, and added a few new ones of my own. In this song posting, 5 occupations are touched upon. I'll share Part 2 with more individuals down the road. Enjoy a trip down memory lane...I did!

PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood
In your neighborhood
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day.

A policeman keeps us safe, you see
He works to protect you and me
He drives car with lights and a siren around
He’s a person you can trust in town

The mailman always brings the mail
Through rain or snow or sleet or hail
I'll work and work the whole day through
To get your letters safe to you

A teacher works the whole day through
To teach important things to you
She’ll teach you things you won’t forget
Like numbers and the alphabet

A bus driver works hard you know
To take you where you want to go
So if he thinks you’re going his way,
He’ll see you on his bus one day

The doctor makes you well real quick
If by chance you're feeling sick
She works and works the whole day long
To help you feel well and strong

END:
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood
In your neighborhood
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
They’re the people that you meet
When you’re walking down the street
The people that you meet each day

Did you do this as a kid?

2009-10-19T10:04:00.010-04:00

Jump in piles of fall leaves, I mean. I sure did! I can clearly remember having raked piles of leaves in our backyard (thanks Mom and Dad!), and my (middle) younger brother and I going to town playing in them. What simple fun! I'm sure that we were pretty lucky that our Mom let us play for a while without telling us to come inside. However, when we did need to end our jumping, I'm also pretty sure that Mom would have given us a warning or countdown or some indication that our fun would soon come to an end.

I find this very helpful when working with my students. Whether it's a verbal/ sung countdown, a change in my singing/ accompaniment style, or a change in facial expression, a warning that instrument play is going to stop is extremely beneficial. This song targets stopping, waiting, then resuming play- a very important (and often difficult) skill to learn. I use an abrupt guitar strum to signal stopping, and my students are already starting to anticipate the "stop!" and smile with anticipation of "go!"

JUMPING IN LEAVES
Outside all the trees are losing their leaves,
They’re falling to the ground.
Red, and orange, and yellow, and brown
Leaves are all around.

So I make a pile
And jump a little while
Then more, and more, and more.
Until my mom opens the back door
And yells “STOP!”

OK, you can go!

...and it's something special just for me!

2009-10-16T14:51:00.003-04:00

No sooner than I had posted this, and started to get ready for my last private session of the day, my doorbell rang and- YAY- my new microphone is here! What timing. I'm going to have a fun weekend trying this out!

Oh, the UPS man is a-comin' down my street...

2009-10-16T14:39:00.002-04:00

After a recommendation from my friend and fellow music therapist- Lisa, and doing a little research of my own, I purchased a new microphone for recording. It's scheduled for delivery today, and I am one anxious girl! The one I've been using has called it quits, and I haven't been able to record any of the fall music that I've written and am ready to share with you...not music that would sound pleasing to the ear, anyway! Look for a bonus song next week to make up for an empty last 2 weeks!

Hi Tess!

2009-09-28T09:25:00.004-04:00

I have a black dog. I also have a 21-month old niece who loves said black dog. Bella (niece) laughs her little tush off when Tess (dog) jumps, licks, and plays with her. I wrote this song for Bella, but it's a great action song for any child. Bella also likes to fill in simple words such as "me", "woof", and "shhh" when I leave a pause in the song.

BLACK DOG

When I get home from school I see
My black doggie waiting for me.
My black doggie’s so happy to see me…

That she says “woof, woof, woof, woof.”
My black dog says “woof, woof.”
“Woof, woof, woof, woof.”
So I tell her “ Shh, shh, shh!”

That her body goes “jump, jump, jump, jump.”
My black dog goes “jump, jump.”
Jump, jump, jump, jump.
And I tell her “Sit, sit, sit.”

That her tail goes “wag, wag, wag, wag.”
My dog’s tail goes “wag, wag.”
Wag, wag, wag, wag.
And I tell her “Good girl, good girl, good girl.”

That her tongue goes “lick, lick, lick, lick.”
My dog’s tongue goes “lick, lick.”
Lick, lick, lick, lick.
So I say “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

When I get home from school I see
My black doggie waiting for me
My black doggie’s so happy to see me
And I’m happy to see her too!

Proof that kids say cute things...

2009-09-26T20:41:00.006-04:00

I spent the majority of my day at the annual Autism Expo, presented by Families with ASD. It was my first year to have a table at the event, and I was so impressed with and grateful for all of the families who stopped by to talk with me (thanks to all!).

Many children accompanied their parents, and everyone seemed to enjoy the display of instruments I'd brought to share. One boy, in particular, made my afternoon when he asked "What is this?" about an instrument. "It's a cabasa," I replied...to which he politely told me "Gesundheit!" : )

Hello, Hello, Hello!

2009-09-21T08:59:00.002-04:00

Whoo-hoo! With the help of fellow music therapist, Rachel Rambach, audio posts are officially up and running.
When sessions begin, we sing some sort of "Hello" song to signal that music therapy is starting and work on that oh-so-important skill of saying "hi." Some of my students also love songs that include movement. I thought that sharing a "Hello" song as the first post is only fitting!
ps: Rachel has a FANTASTIC blog...check it out!

EVERYBODY SING HELLO
Oh, it’s time to say hello,
Let’s sing a song we know.
Everybody sing along,
Let’s sing the hello song!

Everybody, clap, clap, clap your hands [CLAP, CLAP, CLAP]
And tap, tap, tap your knees [TAP, TAP, TAP]
Everybody, let’s count up to 3 [1-2-3]
I say “hello” to you, you say “hello” to me [proceed to say “Hello” to all group members or individual]

Oh, it’s time to say hello
Let's sing a song we know.
Everybody sing along,
Let’s sing the hello song!

2009 Autism Expo

2009-09-14T10:03:00.004-04:00

It's almost time for the 4th annual Autism Expo, presented by Families with ASD. This year's event will be held on Saturday September 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Live Oaks Campus 5956 Buckwheat, Milford, OH 45150.
Service providers from Ohio and Kentucky- including Music Matters!- as well as guest speakers, will be in attendance. Lots of free parking and family/ kid-friendly activities!
This event attracts folks not only from the tri-state, but from as far away as New York and Maryland. Hope to see you there!

Music Therapy and Williams Syndrome

2009-08-05T14:27:00.003-04:00

This link from the Williams Syndrome Association provides great information about Music Therapy and WS!

Patience is a virtue...

2009-07-11T16:13:00.001-04:00

Thanks for being patient with me as I figure out this blogging business! Soon, I'll start posting songs and activities for you to enjoy.

2009-04-08T09:53:00.001-04:00

Music speaks what cannot be expressed
soothes the mind and gives it rest;
heals the heart
and makes it whole;
flows from heaven
to the soul.