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When the majority of a presentation happens in a circle on the floor, it’s a good thing

I had a lovely time tonight, presenting to a group of families who have children with Down syndrome. I was happy that the children seemed interested in participating in the experiences I shared, and also excited to answer general and specific questions about music therapy and how, for example, I might address a child with a short attention span.

We spent about 45 minutes together. I used half an hour with the children and some of the parents in a mini session. We began with a Hello Song, we used some egg shakers, we played some drums, and most popularly, we worked with some Boomwhackers. We closed our mini session with a Goodbye Song, and then the adults moved over to a table where I provided explanations for the experiences I led.

I was happy to work with those children, and to spread the music therapy word a little further. None of the parents there, save my client’s parents, knew about music therapy. I hope I gave them some useful information.

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Join us

On February 7, a group of us will get together to report on articles of our choice. Some of these are:

“The Effect of a Music Therapy Intergenerational Program on Children and Older Adults: Intergenerational Interactions, Cross-age Attitudes, and Older Adults’ Psychosocial Well-being,” by Melita Belgrave, PhD, MT-BC; “Bereaved Parents’ Experiences of Music Therapy with their Terminally Ill Child,” by Kathryn J. Lindenfelser, Denise Grocke, and Katrina McFerran; and “Music Therapy for School-Aged Individuals with Varying Exceptionalities: A Content Analysis (1975-2009),” by Sarah B. Klein. Care to join us?
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Research beginnings

More than a year ago, I had the thought that I’d like to conduct a research study. I began “informally” gathering data and study participants. My topic was much more so for the sake of my own curiosity surrounding perfectionism in musical performance and whether or not, for other people as myself, the ability to learn non-musical tasks was affected.

Now I’d like to research range of movement in residents of skilled nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, and whether or not it is improved with use of specific music. There is much to read, I know.

 

Has anyone launched a study that might be more “informal” and likely not published like my first idea? How did it go?

Does anyone else actually want to publish (and doesn’t know where to start)?

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Reading and writing

I am getting some response to others interested in An Article Monthly. I am still figuring out what to read, however.

January is Music Therapy Advocacy Month, and what better way to advocate than to become more inspired (and therefore feel the need to share the excitement). I enjoy writing about my profession, and I also benefit from reading. At one time, I was collecting some ideas for my own research project. I have not abandoned this thought, but I have too much going on right now to sort out and dedicate enough time to doing it in earnest. But, reading others’ research is almost always good to do.

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An Article Monthly Project

The Minneapolis Area Music Therapists group met again tonight. I am very happy that we are truly meeting regularly.

Tonight, I threw out the idea to the others who met that we could each read an article of interest, in the Music Therapy Perspectives, or in the Journal, or even elsewhere, and come together to report on it on a monthly basis.

We each are taking this week to find one article and let each other know what it is, so that each person reads a different piece.

I don’t read nearly enough. So, here we have opportunity to get back into that habit.

I’ve decided there is no reason this has to happen in person. Is there anyone out there who is interested in participating?

Do it. The more the merrier. Right?

Comment here and let me know if you’ll join us. Really, this is a pretty easy thing to do.

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Three intentions

Welcome, 2012.

With the entry of this new year comes new intentions for myself as a music therapist.

For one, I intend to improve my guitar skills. My plan is to participate in group sessions of one sort or another; I always learn musical skills more efficiently when I am in a group.

For two, I intend to speak to various groups about music therapy. I do have one potential speaking opportunity coming up in the next month or two.

And for three, I intend to accept that I do not want to perform as a musician. Perhaps this is a fact for the rest of this year, for longer, or for less time, but I intend to come to terms with this. 

I have many more goals to achieve regarding my professional life, but these are some of my intentions.

Good luck with your transition into this new year. I love beginnings.

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Successful show

Ah, success was had. Today was the first-ever “variety show” at the care center. An 18-person choir and a seven- or eight-person drama troupe performed in addition to the nine-person tone chimes ensemble. There were many people to organize and prepare, and I was so pleased that a lot of them had friends and family members attend the show. I believe there were more than 100 people in our audience.

One resident, who performed in all three ensembles, said he was feeling “lousy” when I collected him from his room before the show. He almost refused to go. After the show, though? “How are you feeling?” I asked him. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “Really good.”

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Meetings

I love getting to see the music therapists I know face-to-face. Tonight some of us met for a Minneapolis music therapists meeting, and I adore how rejuvenated I feel when in the midst of other professionals. One of us shared a template she uses to track her CEUs. We discussed different tactics in working with certain clients. We planned for future months. I was happy to see them all, and am excited to be trying to grow a community, hard though it may be at times.