Adrian Knight. A composer I really like and have never heard before. Especially his piece, “Manchester.”
Beep Egg
Oh, man.
Surprising
I saw two new individual tenants this afternoon at the assisted living facility where I work on Wednesdays. Very rarely do I have any information about these tenants, other than their names, phone numbers, and apartment numbers. I try to prepare myself for whomever I see by bringing several books of music, all of a big variety of genre. (This is where I could easily utilize an iPad. I definitely see using an iPad as a practical tool, and a great goal to have for myself.)
The first new tenant I saw today was the father of five musicians and the husband to an accomplished dramatic soprano. He said that he was the least musical of his family, but he could sing well. We had a somewhat brief discussion about Mahler and Wagner.
The second new tenant I had was very familiar with music therapy, as her granddaughter is a local music therapist who works in hospice. This tenant’s niece was present for our session, and they spoke very knowledgeably about music therapy.
Certainly, I try to prepare for a number of things when I see tenants cold like this, but I was happily surprised to have such an eclectic afternoon. I am also very pleased that my second tenant was so aware of music therapy, and that her relative was there to share how much she felt our session was helpful.
Experiential successes
I designed an experience this evening that was successful in application. I recently acquired a set of Boomwhackers to use at the studio with my individual clients. I have one client with whom I am targeting fine motor development. This client has difficulty manipulating objects because he seems to be extremely sensitive to any stimulus on or around his fingers and hands. He has recently been able to use a mallet to strike a small tambourine that I’d been moving around his periphery to develop his ability to spontaneously exchange the mallet from one hand to the other, as opposed to twisting his entire body to accommodate only one hand. He had not be changing hands without cues before I introduced the Boomwhackers. I used one of the Cs as a target for his E, and found that not only did he strike my Boomwhacker with his wherever I placed it, he also changed his Boomwhacker of his own volition at midline. And, he kept a really nice beat to my singing “You Are My Sunshine” (while I moved my target high for “sunshine” and low for “hung my head and I cried”).
I appreciate the small steps that end up to be big.
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.
Rhythm Ring
I love my Rhythm Ring. I received it and some Boomwhackers I’d ordered to use primarily with my private clients, but I’ve been using the Rhythm Ring at the care center. Well, of course. There aren’t many reasons not to use it. I have found that it helps my guitar playing sound stronger, likely because I am more aware of my strumming.
I’ve been imagining all kinds of other instruments I can affix to my person while in session. I really could be “the one-man band” that many people refer to me as I pass by in the hall, with my cart filled with instruments and a guitar on my back.
Reading, writing, and more reading
In the new year, I will be trying to tackle a music therapy- and/or music-related book every month. These include textbooks and novels. 
Suggestions for January?
Forward to reflect
I have been away for the past few days, celebrating Christmas with my families.
Though I do like Christmas, I don’t love it or go crazy for it like some people do. What I love is that families find reason to be together; I don’t care for the stress that tends to accompany the rest of the holiday season.
What I’ve found is that I do love the week, or at least days, leading up to New Year’s Day. Last year, I was an intern at a hospital and working in hospice care. I remember this time of year feeling very important, in that I created space to observe those patients who had died while I knew them, and those patients who I knew would be living on when my internship was completed seven days after the new year.
I am looking forward to reflecting on this year, however backward that may seem. This is the year in which I began my professional career (among many, many other monumental and exciting things). This is also the year in which I met the hundreds of residents and a dozen or so private clients with whom I’ve worked. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to look back and acknowledge.
For years, they practiced in their dreams
For years, the Taliban banned music in Afghanistan. Here is a story of its resurgence.
More tools
My parents gave me a gift certificate to West Music for Christmas last year, and I have been using it, little by little, since then. Today I happily ordered a set of Boomwhackers and a Rhythm Ring Shaker.
Merry Christmas to me, from a present gifted last year.
I spent a number of years living in Iowa City, so close to West Music, and only now do I appreciate the depth of the store.