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Welcome, Spring! An update from Sound Matters Music Therapy, LLC

Ah, yes. I have been away for quite some time. Frankly, this Winter offered me too much to combat, and some things– like writing as much as I really want to do– fell by the wayside.

However, I plan to be back here on a regular basis. I truly believe that the darkness and the cold of Winter tore apart my ability to create a cohesive work day. Now that the sun is out (even though it was at freezing temperatures today), I am feeling rejuvenated.

To serve as a brief update, I will say that I found out that I am going to be having a baby at the end of August; our MinnTwin Music Therapist Group has met once to discuss the happenings of the Minneapolis area music therapy scene; I have moved residences (and therefore offices); I am continuing to write as a guest blogger at Child Development Club; I was in a car accident that took me out of work for one week (which could’ve been much, much worse); and I am finding more stability in my definition of my practice as a music therapist.

Find my last blog posts at Child Development ClubChild Development Club. 

Any Family Can Be a Band of Musicians

Shake and Pass Your Egg Shakers

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And it’s winter

Out the front door

Yesterday, we here in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas experienced snowfall for about 24 hours, amounting in 15 inches or so in my neighborhood. This is a shot out the front door.

Luckily, even though I schedule myself rather tightly, I still lumbered my way through the streets and made it to nearly all of my sites. My big concern this winter is what to do when a storm like this hits in the middle of a weekday. I’ll have to pick and choose, and then probably re-schedule sites and clients for the weekends.

Snow. Lots of it.

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November catch-up

I know I’ve been absent from my website and blogging. All I can say is, my list of daily to-dos shifted considerably for a couple of months there.

A short catch up of what’s going on at Sound Matters:

  1. I have a clinical supervisor with whom I Skype (when Skype works) or talk on the phone (when Skype doesn’t work) once a week. I am so happy that I have professional support when I feel stuck or confused about a situation.
  2. I presented to two different groups earlier this month. One was a group of college students at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota, who gather on Wednesdays for what they call “Wellness Wednesdays.” I also presented to the Parish Visitors group at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who were interested in different ways to take music to the people they visit.
  3. The LLC is a little over one month old now. I am still in the process of establishing insurance reimbursement ability.
  4. The peer support group that I head is taking a break over the holiday season and will resume in January. I look forward to seeing all of my local peers and learning about what new trainings and conferences, etc. that they’ve attended.
  5. The Music Therapy Association of Minnesota had its fall conference at the beginning of the month. The sessions focused on guitar and drumming techniques.
  6. I bought a djembe that I love dearly.

Our Thanksgiving was great, and even though it’s really hard to believe, Christmas season is upon us. We’ll see where that takes us.

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Macalaster College

Thank you to Macalaster College for having me present during Wellness Wednesdays. I enjoyed the group and look forward to answering any further questions.

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Coming up for Sound Matters

Upcoming events at Sound Matters Music Therapy

Meeting of the Minds in Music

September 29, 2012

4:00-6:00 PM

 

Music Therapy in Mental Health:

A Presentation on the Effects of Music and Its Use as a Tool

November 18, 7:00 PM

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Upcoming music therapy events in Twin Cities

I have been wanting to attend these bi-monthly ukelele group workshops, but since I got sick, adding things to the list wasn’t something I did.

But, coming up on January 28, I am definitely going to “Latin Guitar Styles Master Class,” held at the Schmitt Music Minnetonka. Following this, some of us Minneapolis/St. Paul-area music therapists will get together for our monthly meeting.

Latin Guitar Styles Master Class information here.

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Upcoming new music therapists group meeting

I work on my own, as a contractor and in my own private practice. I don’t co-facilitate with another music therapist, and I don’t work on a team (at the moment). For these reasons, I’ve found that seeking out the support of my peers is crucial, not only for feedback or questions, but to answer, “Is there anyone else who is having the same issues/troubles/concerns/successes?”

I’m looking forward to our next new music therapists meeting here in Minneapolis. Currently, the date is yet to be determined because many of us are out of town in the summer, but I will be sure to update this information as soon as it’s solidified.

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Minneapolis live

I had the opportunity to see a good friend and music therapy colleague perform last night here in Minneapolis. Lynn O’Brien and her trio, Hummingbirds, opened for a CD release show. Not only did one of Lynn’s songs bring tears to my eyes, she also inspired me (as she usually does) to try my hand at songwriting again.

I often create songs in my music therapy sessions, and sometimes those same songs develop over time into more detailed experiences. But I’m going to try, to TRY, to write one song per day this week.

Lynn O'Brien

Too often lately I have busied myself with paperwork and preparation. I think it’s time to shift some energy over to my musical development.

Thanks to Lynn for this inspiration. 🙂

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Vitamin M

I am having trouble with my site at the moment, so I’m hoping that this post at least shows up… Oh, how technology can (and does) make and break my day.
I want to say that on Saturday, a smallish group of music therapists in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area met for our monthly meeting to take the opportunity to support one another and to share resources. We’ve created a group on Facebook that we call Vitamin M. Feel free to ask to join if you are a Minnesotan!

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Poise in public

I had another awesome opportunity to attend a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert, this one being the Chamber Music Series #5. I grew up playing violin, and have had a somewhat tenuous relationship with the instrument over the past few years, but I was very engaged in the music tonight.

The non-musical benefits of music instruction have always been of most interest to me, which is probably why I am so excited about music therapy. I have always touted music instruction as being integral in the development of poise and confidence in front of others. Tonight I enjoyed watching the musicians’ movements, and noticed that their bodies were absolutely synchronized with their music. This didn’t surprise me, but I loved being a little bit more aware of the musicality of their movements, and knowing that the poise with which they engrossed their audience in the performance came directly from the music they produced. I hope to be in their audience again soon.