Sound Matters Music Therapy, LLC
Serving adults with developmental disability in Minneapolis, MN
The four-year-olds’ church choir I co-direct had their Christmas program tonight. Parents, grandparents, and siblings were in attendance. What sweethearts. This year is my first as co-director, and I’ve had a lot of fun with these kids.
Happy holiday-time programs and celebrations to you!
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.
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. 🙂
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.