I am a Board Certified Music Therapist willing to share my expertise and knowledge with others. Let me know if you have questions or comments regarding music therapy.
Originally a book released in 1957, it was also released as a movie on March 31, 1960, "Please Don't Eat the Daisies." Doris Day stars as a mother of four boys forced to move from a small apartment into a fixer-upper. The movie was a successful venture, which spun off as a television series spanning two seasons and 58 episodes. Although, Doris Day did not star in the television series, she is remembered fondly for the hit song.
This little tune holds up as a great Spring intervention, having a good mix of lyrics that are repetitive and easy to sing. Easy interval jumps lead to ease of singing even without accompaniment. It's a tune that could be used within different thematic situations including Spring, flowers, family. Being a movie, television series, book and having the song leads to a very versatile way to implement within a group. There are excerpts of the audio book easily found that could be shared as well.
I love this time of the year. So easy to come up with themed sessions. The end of the week is May! May songs, Kentucky Derby, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day. As well as throwing in other topics such as Ladies Name Songs, May the 4th (Movie Themes), Flowers, and National Nursing Home Week or Older Adult Month, etc.
Today, I'm sharing my favorite Flower Songs that I'm sharing with my groups today.
Red Roses for a Blue Lady
Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)
Springtime in the Rockies
A White Sportcoat and a Pink Carnation
Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time
Moonlight and Roses
Apple Blossom Time
In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree
Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along
Yellow Rose of Texas
When You Wore a Tulip
Sweet Violets
Edelweiss
Sunflower
April Showers
Tip-toe Thru the Tulips
Carolina in the Morning
Sweet Adeline
I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
My Wild Irish Rose
Endless topics for discussion and sensory stimulation. What a great opportunity to bring in flowers!
Flower patterned scarves, colorful instruments, stretchy bands, parachutes could all lend to the success of a flower session.
1. April Showers
2. Pennies from Heaven
3. Nothing Could be Finer
4. When It's Springtime in the Rockies
5. I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time
I totally understand there are lots of songs speaking of April such as "April in Paris", "When April Comes Again", "April Fool", "April Love" and probably several more. I like to use these five songs as they are much more familiar and lead to nice discussions. With April Showers, there are flowers included: daffodils. With Pennies from Heaven, asking if you'd pick up a penny and the significance of "heads up" or "tails up" and superstitions. Nothing Could be Finer or Carolina in the Morning, has a wish at the end stimulating conversations of what one wish would you make. Springtime in the Rockies is just a lovely Spring tune speaking of the season. For some reason, Apple Blossom Time is a favorite as well around this time. I would consider it more a "May" song, but the blossoms definitely are starting and leads to good conversations about what else is blooming.
I use many different instruments within my music therapy sessions, but my trusty Taylor has been the best investment by far. I had gone through three cheaper brands before deciding that I needed a quality instrument. Choosing a guitar is a huge decision. Ranks up there with finding a house to live in. This instrument stays with a music therapist all the time. I had my car stolen last summer, but my guitar was the lone instrument that I had with me at that time. Luckily, the thieves had no idea the value of my other instruments or just chose to take the car for a joy ride not caring about the contents. In any case, my Taylor has been with me now for over 2 years and I value it tremendously. The sound is so rich and full.
I use my guitar as a gathering instrument, closing instrument and most times throughout my sessions. There are times that I use it to accompany and others that I use it as relaxation and play chord progressions. Many of my clients have commented on the beauty of the instrument, but most just love my tie-died guitar strap.
Besides being an awesome guitar, the Taylor gig bag is the best guitar case I've every had. It is so durable and handy with a backpack strap or handles with a heavy duty zipper. I've definitely gone through my far share of gig bags which rip inside from the strings or wear out from use. This bag looks just as nice as it did the day I bought it.
Thank you Taylor Guitar, you have helped me be a better Music Therapist daily.
It's Thursday and this week happened to be my Mother's Birthday, April 20. #ThrowbackThursday is going back to this week in 1950. The #1 song this week way back 65 years ago? "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked a Cake!"
Eileen Barton, born to Vaudeville performers began her acting career at the ripe old age of 2 1/2 years old. Although, "If I Knew You Were Coming..." was her only #1 hit, she was no stranger to the Billboard Top 40. She had 10 hits that made the charts, hitting #10 with "Cry." "If I Knew You Were Coming..." knocked Theresa Brewers "Music, Music, Music" out of the #1 spot. Barton held #1 for 12 weeks and stayed in the Top 40 for over 4 months.
EILEEN BARTON "If I Knew You Were Comin I'd've Baked A Cake"
[Sound of knocking on door]
[Spoken:] Come in Well, well, well, look who's here I haven't seen you in many a year
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake baked a cake, baked a cake If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band Grandest band in the land Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band And spread the welcome mat for you
Oh, I don't know where you came from 'cause I don't know where you've been But it really doesn't matter Grab a chair and fill your platter And dig, dig, dig right in
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Hired a band, goodness sake If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
[Instrumental Interlude]
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake baked a cake, baked a cake If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Had you dropped me a letter I'd a-hired a band Grandest band in the land Had you dropped me a letter I'd a-hired a band Spread the welcome mat for you
Oh, I don't know where you came from 'Cause I don't know where you've been But it really doesn't matter Grab a chair and fill your platter And dig, dig, dig right in
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Hired a band, goodness sake If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do
Howd-ya do, howd-ya do, howd-ya do Howd-ya do-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Happy Earth Day! Here in Wisconsin, we are proud to claim Gaylord Nelson as one of our own. A senator from Wisconsin who began Earth Day 45 years ago. Working within a geriatric setting, I am always looking for something to latch onto and today it will be Earth Day.
Lots of opportunity to discuss the Earth and how we can take care of it. Discuss programs that help keep the Earth moving such as recycling, adopt-a-highway, composing, etc. Patriotic Songs, Hymns and Folk Songs lend themselves well to fitting into the theme of the day. Even though it is not an American specific day, our Patriotic songs tend to speak of the land. There are several hymns that also have lyrics pertaining to the World.
Here's a list of some of the songs I'll be sharing throughout the day. Feel free to add your own!
My career has taken all sorts of twists and turns from being a K-8 general music teacher to being a stay at home Dad, being a Weight Watcher receptionist to working overnight security at a Senior Living Facility. None of these positions turned out to be what I really wanted to do as a career. I am a MUSIC THERAPIST! (yes, I shouted)
Music therapy is an awesome occupation with so many opportunities for specializing in specific populations. I've worked with a wide variety of populations from very young to very old and the later is definitely the population that I feel most comfortable with. My path has now led me in a new direction as I will be transitioning from a part-time Music Therapist and part-time Hospice Music Therapist to a full-time Activity Therapist. You can bet that I'll be calling my share of Bingo games, but I will definitely be implementing Music Therapy into my residents days wherever and whenever possible.
The decision was not an easy one. I weighed the pros and cons endlessly. One's occupation is a huge part of their identity. I spent many years training to become a music teacher and another several years training to be a music therapist. Did I really want to take the music out of therapist and become an Activity Therapist? My answer is yes. After weighing the pros and cons, I came to the conclusion that I can implement music therapy into an activity department easily. Not only that, I will have 40 hours to do it...in the same building...with colleagues to bounce ideas off of.
Initially, I interviewed and was told the starting pay. Devastated by the cut in pay I'd incur, I knew I couldn't take the position. However, I also knew this was the right position for me. After a second interview, I was offered the position. I graciously declined citing the low starting salary as the sole reason. What I did next was something that I had never thought I would have the courage to do. I went back to the facility a week later and restated my interest in the position. Unbelievably to me, they called me back with a starting salary I was happy to accept. The relief, enthusiasm and excitement in my new supervisors response will never be forgotten.
So what were those pros and cons that tipped the scales in favor of a full-time position. I made a list and came up with my biggest pros not involving the position at all. Instead, my pros included things such as shorter commutes, being in one place all day, a set routine, paid vacations and consistent pay. The only things on my list were paid vacations, benefits and building long term relationships. As a PRN Music Therapist, professional relationship are few and far between. And as a Hospice Music Therapist, I stay on guard as to not get too attached, knowing a terminal diagnosis is the reason for hospice placement. On the flip side, the only cons that I had on my list all included things about the job such as working weekends, holidays, specific hours and low hourly pay. The biggest reason for me searching for the stability of a full time position was definitely the steady pay. Being in Hospice, my paychecks ranged from very high $750 a week, to very low $150 a week. It's been more and more of the very low lately and as a family, I need to add more and stable money to the bottom line.
I can live with those cons and am looking forward to my new full time position starting May 4.
