Sunday Singalong: That Yellow Bus

"That Yellow Bus" was a February staple in my music therapy classes, and quickly became a student and staff favorite.  (I think the main reason is because it shares a title with a certain Justin Roberts song I did last year - that one still gets requested all the time!) Like I mention in the video, it was written specifically for a little guy with bus transitioning issues, but since many of my students do ride the bus, they were able to benefit from it, too.

That is the beauty of what I do: there is so much crossover from one part of my job to another, and so many different situations in which to apply the same therapeutic interventions, activities and songs. For example, many of the tunes I've written and shared on this very blog are also included in this semester's Church Mice class, which is actually where I'd headed in just a little bit. 

Which leads me to wonder...is it already Sunday afternoon?  This weekend has certainly flown right by, as they usually do.  After Church Mice, my husband and I are heading to my parents' for a cookout with my brother (who is in town for spring break) and his fiancee, and then I'm looking forward to vegging out on the couch and watching the Academy Awards.  What are you up to tonight?

Sunday Singalong: Sunny Day

Finally! There's no doubt about the excitement my students, fellow staff, and I have felt this past week each time we've sung the "Sunny Day" song. After a seemingly endless winter of gray, dreary days, the sun is a much-welcomed change of scenery...we're just hoping it sticks around!

This week, I borrowed my mom's Flip Ultra HD Camcorder to record the "Sunday Singalong" video, and I am amazed at the upgrade in quality (compared to using the built-in iSight camera on my Macbook).  Even the sound is impressive!  I have a long wish list of tech toys, but the Flip is definitely right up there at the top.

This three-day weekend (thanks, Casimir Pulaski!) has been the perfect mix of productivity and laziness, but it's time to kick into high gear.  I'm off to lead Church Mice, after which I have a new month of music therapy sessions to plan.  Tomorrow, on my day off from school, I'm having my piano tuned, meeting with my accountant, teaching lessons, and providing private MT sessions as usual.   Throw in a couple loads of laundry, and I'm tired just thinking about it.

How has your weekend shaped up?  I'd love to hear what you've been up to!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions for next week's "Sunday Singalong" video, don't be shy.  I'm always up for suggestions - the song could be one of mine or a cover.

Saturday Singalong: The Story of My Feelings

"Sunday Singalong" got bumped to Saturday, because I have a special Valentine's Day post planned for tomorrow. Two weekend posts...bonus!

Like I said in the video, I chose Laurie Berkner's song "The Story of My Feelings" because all month, my students and I have been working on understanding what emotions are all about, what they look like, and how we show them.  I received the illustrated book as a Christmas gift two years ago, and I have been using it ever since to supplement not only music therapy sessions, but also the music classes I teach for young children.

And now back to today's regularly scheduled programming: couch time!  It is Saturday, after all, my one day to relax after a busy week.  Sundays start early, with choir rehearsal, church, grocery shopping, Church Mice, and tomorrow, a Valentine's Day dinner with my special Valentine.  More on that to come!

Sunday Singalong: Making Friends

You can find the original post of this song, including lyrics, here.

In today's video, I'm singing "Making Friends" - a song I recently wrote for a class at The Hope Institute. It was featured throughout the month of January in my music therapy sessions, and I already miss singing it now that February is here (along with all-new tunes).

This has been the weekend of all-new tunes, in fact. I spent most of yesterday writing and recording, as I finished up a custom CD for a consult client.  Since I began offering consultative services in January, I've had no shortage of new songs in the vault to share here at Listen & Learn.  I love it!  I've been so inspired by the new topics presented based on the goals and objectives of my clients.  Make sure to come back tomorrow for one of those new songs!

How was your weekend?  Aside from my intensive writing/recording session yesterday, mine has been pretty relaxing.  My husband and I finally saw Avatar (in 3-D no less!) and last night, we had the opportunity to attend a viewing of the new HBO film, Temple Grandin.  I'll be sharing more about that in the coming week, so stay tuned...

Sunday Singalong: The Leaves on the Trees

You can find the original post of this song, including lyrics, here.

Tonight's edition of "Sunday Singalong" goes out to a very special fan of mine: hi, Matthew! Matthew's mom emailed me last week and told me that although her son has many Listen & Learn favorites, he responds to this particular tune with excitement and anticipation as I speed up faster and faster. He's not the only one; this is a favorite among my own students for the very same reason! Matthew will receive a free download of the Listen & Learn album of his choice, and you can have the same if I select your song suggestion to be featured in an upcoming "Sunday Singalong" video. It could be one of my own songs or a cover, so be creative.  Just leave a comment or email me with your suggestion.

How was your weekend?  Mine was full of music, so of course it was wonderful :)  I spent most of Saturday preparing some new songs and rehearsing for a show I played last night, which went very well.  I was extremely surprised (and thrilled!) by the turnout...not only was my regular cheering section in attendance, but some friends from out of town, church, work, and even a few parents of my students were there, too!  It was a blast.  The music-making continued today when my friend Cory came over to record with me (more on that soon).  A few hours of sleep, and I'll be ready to take on a new week!

Sunday Singalong: Brand New

I had every intention of recording a new video for this week's edition of Sunday Singalong, and then life got in the way.  I spent most of last week/the weekend working on an upcoming project (to be announced at a later date!) and preparing for a new Church Mice session, which began today.  Throw in a hospital visit with our friends' new baby and too many loads of laundry to count, and I'm exhausted!  An understatement, really.

Now that I've gotten all of my excuses out in the open, we can move on to tonight's video.  It's an oldie (July 2009) and a bit of a departure from the usual Listen & Learn fare.  This song falls under the OTHER category of music (geared more towards you than your child) I write, which you can hear more of here.



You can download the album Brand New for free, by the way :)

If you have a song request or suggestion for next week's Sunday Singalong, let me know! It could be a Listen & Learn original or cover, and if I choose your suggested song, you get a free album download of your choice. 

Sunday Singalong: What Do You Do?

You can find the original post of this song, including lyrics, here.
 
Listen & Learn reader Erin Breedlove requested that I feature "What Do You Do?" as today's Sunday Singalong song, and since that is what I chose, Erin will receive a free album download of her choice.  Congrats, Erin!  Everyone else - send next week's requests (it could be a Listen & Learn original OR a cover of any song that could be used in a music therapy session) via email, or just leave a comment right here on the blog.

How was your weekend?  Mine has been a good mix of relaxation (Friday Night Lights is our new streaming Netflix fave), work-related stuff (IAMT board meeting and piano festival student applications) and fun (friend's wedding and out with friends).

Today is a big day in the Rambach household, because as I wrote yesterday, we are celebrating my husband's 27th birthday.  We are going out to dinner at a local Japanese restaurant, where you can sit at a hibachi grill with up to 16 people.  Tonight all of those seats will be filled with family, and I can't wait.  Yummy sushi and other Japanese goodies, here I come!

Enjoy your Sunday night, and I'll see you back here tomorrow for a brand-new song about a certain type of transportation. 

Sunday Singalong: Time to Sing Hello

You might remember that my New Year's resolution is to do more of what I've already been doing in terms of blogging, projects, and music therapy - to step it up a notch, if you will.  There's no time like the present to get started, so I'm excited to introduce a new weekly feature here at Listen & Learn Music.

Each week, I will choose a song to sing and play for my "Sunday Singalong" video (which will also be posted on my YouTube channel).  Most of the time it will be one of my own songs, though I am open to sharing covers, as long as it is something I might use in a music therapy session.  I'll be open to suggestions throughout the week, which you can submit via the comments section of my blog or email.  If I choose the song you suggest, you get a free download of any Listen & Learn album. 

I thought it would be appropriate to feature a hello song as my first "Sunday Singalong" installment, so without further ado, here you go!



You can find the original post of this song, including lyrics, here.

What are your thoughts on the new feature?  I'm still a novice at making videos, but I figure this will give me a good excuse to improve my technique.  It will also give me a reason to borrow the Ultra HD Flip Camcorder I gave my mom for Christmas!  So send your feedback my way, and enjoy the last few hours of the weekend.

Music Therapy in the News...Again!

It has been a great year for music therapy in Springfield. Not only did our local news feature my work in August, but tomorrow, the State Journal-Register is running an article about it. As part of the interview they did with me, they also recorded a short video. I wish it included a few other portions of the session, but hey, I'll take what I can get! It's exciting that the word about music therapy is getting out in central Illinois.



I'll be back tomorrow with the article, so make sure to check it out. I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and are not stuck in bed with the flu, like I am. I'll most likely be blogging from this very spot for the next few days :( Stay healthy, everyone!

Mozart in the Making

I came across this video as I was perusing Natalie Wickham's Music Matters Blog, and I enjoyed it so much that I just had to repost it here. My favorite part is when the reporter asks, "Where does [the music] come from?" and she replies, "I don't know...probably, my heart."

Take a Look

On the Inside

Today's post is one I think (or at least, I hope) you'll like. I've been having so much fun experimenting with the video camera feature on my iPhone that I thought I'd put it to good use. So I'm going to take you on a tour of my home studio, where all of the Music Therapy Connections magic happens. Please pardon my lack of camera skills - I'm still new at this, and I need some more work on holding it steady :)



Please feel free to ask questions about any of the things you saw in the video. I am always more than happy to share my resources with you, my wonderful readers. Oh, and I also would like to mention that my Kickstarter Project, "Listen & Learn: Music for a Different Kind of Audience" has almost reached the quarter mark thanks to you! Currently, you have pledged $456 out of the $2,000 goal. I can't wait to see who brings it to the $500 mark...could it be you?

Help Me, Help Them

This is a song I wrote about my Kickstarter project:

Hi there, I'm Rachel,
Thanks for stopping by.
I wrote this song and made this video
To explain the reasons why
You should make a pledge and be a part
Of this project that I hope to start
It's called Listen & Learn and its for
A different kind of audience who needs more

Autism presents itself
In more than one way,
It's a disorder that affects how children learn,
And communicate and play.
But music is a bridge that can reach inside
It lets a child connect instead of hide
And that's why I do what I do,
Why I'm asking support from you.

Help me, help them
Give my gift of song.
Even if you pledge one dollar
You'll move this project along.
I write the songs but I need a hand,
To follow through with my grander plan
Which is recording a CD
Just for them, and sung by me.

I wanted to reach out,
So I started a blog to share
My music and thoughts with the people
Who could benefit out there.
They said my songs were part of the solution
So I want to make a bigger contribution
So please, if you feel inclined,
I hope that you will find that you can.

For more information, simply click on the Kickstarter box in the left-hand column of this page. As always, thanks for your support of Listen & Learn Music!