(3-29-11) There are many differences between music therapy as practiced in Europe and the way music therapy is practiced in the majority of the United States. One of the differences is highlighted in this story is about a music therapist in the UK, who is starting to offer some NMT (Neurologic Music Therapy) services similar to the services received by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The European model of music therapy is very psychoanalytical in theory and practice. Although we have some music therapists who practice this kind of music therapy in the States, most of the music therapy services follow a cognitive/behavioral model. There is a place for both kinds of therapy, but it is nice to see European music therapists trying to increase the use of other methods of music therapy. The story is here.
(3-28-11) I have a lot of experience working with children who have autism because it is common that they respond very well to music therapy interventions. I think it is very important to keep up with the research and developments in healthcare regarding autism. There is a story today by Fox News that highlights the growing problem that America will face as the current children with autism reach their adult years. The author of this article has some ideas that could help, but I really don't see the national will and consensus developing that will make any of her ideas a reality. Go here for the story.
(3-27-11) I have to admit that I love these websites with the music loops! It is so easy to teach people about building ensembles or drum circle rhythms through using these little programs. This Incredibox from France has some nicely composed music and is visually interesting. Check it out here -- and don't forget to let me know what you think!
(3-26-11) There are some exiting developments coming out of England. Some research at the University of Plymouth has created a way for brain waves to correlate with pictures on a computer to create sounds or loops of music. A person just thinks about one of several choices and triggers the music! The story is here.
(3-25-11) Many people use music to reflect their mood. Here is a great site that is a combination of Pandora and a mood indicator. Try it out and see what you think! Does the music it plays accurately reflect your mood? Can you slowly adjust the mood selector and see if your mood changes in response to the music? The Musicovery site is here.
(3-24-11) So you want to be a DJ!? Get ready to jam on this cool QWERTY keyboard! This website is a blast! One of the music therapists that I know had a great idea to use an iPad with this website. This would really help adapt music-making for some music therapy clients. Go here to start having fun!
(3-23-11) It is nice to see the medical community embracing music therapy as a result of the tragedy in Arizona. Medpage asked music therapist Shanna Clark to do a guest blog about music therapy to help explain why it is helping Congresswoman Giffords and what is music therapy exactly. You can find the story here.
(3-22-11) The news is starting to spread and I am doing my part to make it go viral! A company finally got the funding to make the Pacifier Assisted Lullaby (PAL) a market reality! They will produce the pacifier used with NICU babies so that other facilities can purchase and use them. The pacifier is only used in two hospitals right now, so this is great news for babies across the land! Congratulations to Dr. Jayne Standley and all the other developers. They have traveled a long road to finally have this miraculous device commercially produced! The story is here.
(3-21-11) The new documentary, "A Gift of Music," is being released by the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. It is always nice to have some more professionally created video examples and live interviews regarding music therapy. YouTube has an excerpt here.
(3-20-11) The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) often has a response to national and world disasters. There are now music therapists practicing in many countries around the world. Some of these therapists have been victims of disasters while others have been able to offer music therapy during the recovery efforts. I personally know several music therapy students and professionals from Japan and my best wishes and prayers go out to them and their families. The official statement from AMTA regarding the Japanese earthquake/tsunami can be found here.
(3-19-11) Here is a quick reference list of all the theaters around the country that will be showing the new movie, The Music Never Stopped. Go see it if you get a chance, and let me know what you think!
ARIZONA
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - SHEA 14 THEATRE, OPENS 4.1
CALIFORNIA
BERKELEY, CA - SHATTUCK CINEMAS 10, OPENS 3.18
ENCINO, CA - TOWN CENTER 5
LOS ANGELES, CA - REGENT THEATRE, OPENS 3.18
MONTEREY, CA - OSIO PLAZA 6, OPENS 4.1
PALO ALTO, CA - AQUARIUS 2, OPENS 3.18
PASADENA, CA - PLAYHOUSE 7 CINEMAS, OPENS 3.18
PLEASANT HILL, CA - CINEARTS 5, OPENS 3.18
SACRAMENTO, CA - CREST THEATRE, OPENS 4.1
SAN DIEGO, CA - HILLCREST CINEMAS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - KABUKI 8, OPENS 3.18
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - METREON 15, OPENS 3.18
SAN JOSE, CA - SANTANA ROW 6, OPENS 3.18
SANTA MONICA, CA - BROADWAY CINEMAS 4, OPENS 3.18
SAN RAFAEL, CA - REGENCY CINEMAS 6, OPENS 3.18
SANTA ANA, CA - SOUTH COAST VILLAGE 3, OPENS 3.18
SANTA CRUZ, CA - NICKELODEAN THEATRES, OPENS 4.1
SANTA ROSA, CA - SUMMERFIELD CINEMAS 5, OPENS 3.18
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - SUNSET 5, OPENS 3.18
COLORADO
DENVER, CO - MAYAN THEATRE, OPENS 4.1
CONNECTICUT
GREENWICH, CT - CRITERION CINEMA AT GREENWICH PLAZA 3, OPENS 3.18
GEORGIA
ATLANTA, GA - TARA ATLANTA 4, OPENS 4.8
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO, IL - RIVER EAST 21, OPENS 4.1
INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - KEYSTONE ART CINEMA 7, OPENS 4.1
KANSAS
OLATHE, KS - STUDIO 30, OPENS 3.18
OVERLAND PARK, KS - GLENWOOD ARTS, OPENS 3.18
MASSACHUSETTES
BOSTON, MA - BOSTON COMMONS 19, OPENS 4.1
MICHIGAN
ROYAL OAK, MI - MAIN ART THEATRE, OPENS 3.18
MINNESOTA
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - LAGOON CINEMA, OPENS 4.1
MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY, MO - BARRYWOODS 24, OPENS 3.18
KANSAS CITY, MO - TIVOLI @ MANOR SQUARE, OPENS 3.18
NEW JERSEY
MONTCLAIR, NJ - CLAIRIDGE CINEMAS 6, OPENS 3.18
NEW YORK
BROOKLYN, NY - COBBLE HILL 5, OPENS 3.18
KEW GARDENS, NY - KEW GARDENS CINEMAS 6, OPENS 3.18
MALVERNE, NY - MALVERNE CINEMA 5, OPENS 3.18
NEW YORK, NY - VILLAGE THEATRE 7, OPENS 3.18
NEW YORK, NY - E-WALK 13, OPENS 3.18
NEW YORK, NY - AMC 84TH STREET 6, OPENS 3.18
NEW YORK, NY - AMC VILLAGE THEATRE 7, OPENS 3.18
PLEASANTVILLE, NY - JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER, OPENS 3.18
QUEENS, NY - KEW GARDENS CINEMAS 6, OPENS 3.18
WEST NYACK, NY - PALISADES CENTER 21, OPENS 3.18
WESTCHESTER, NY - CINEMA 100 QUAD, OPENS 3.18
WESTBURY, NY - RACEWAY 10, OPENS 3.18
NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE, NC - PARK TERRACE 6 CINEMA, OPENS 4.1
OHIO
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - CEDAR LEE THEATRES, OPENS 4.1
OREGON
PORTLAND, OR - FOX TOWER 10, OPENS 3.18
PENNSYLVANIA
PHILADELPHIA, PA - RITZ AT THE BOURSE, OPENS 4.1
TEXAS
AUSTIN, TX - ARBOR CINEMAS AT GREAT HILL 8, OPENS 4.1
UTAH
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - BROADWAY CENTRE CINEMAS, OPENS 4.1
WASHINGTON
SEATTLE, WA - HARVARD EXIT THEATRE, OPENS 4.1
WASHINGTON D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - GALLERY PLACE STADIUM 14, OPENS 4.1
WISCONSIN
MILWAUKEE, WI - ORIENTAL THEATRE, OPENS 4.1
(3-18-11) Music-Map is a fun website! This site allows you to type in an artist's name and then produces a spatial view of other artists someone might prefer if they like the one in your initial search. The maps were pretty accurate for my musical tastes! This program has some potential use for music therapists looking for preferred music for clients. Go here to see what you think!
(3-17-11) We may be celebrating St. Patty's day over here, but it looks like things are not as shiny green over in the old country! Music therapists in Ireland marched today in demonstration against cuts to the music therapy program for children with special needs. The story is here.
(3-16-11) Music Makes Sense just became an affiliate sponsor for Kat Fulton's Drumify DVD for drumming with older adults! I love this DVD! I have already found it useful in providing examples to the students in my music therapy drumming class. Kat really did a great job on this DVD and it provides totally unique content you will not find anywhere else! You can click on the following link to purchase or the link in the sidebar if you want more information about the DVD.
Drumify! (DVD)
(3-15-11) I have not been tuned into American Idol this season, but I just noticed this story about one of the top 10 finalists who apparently has Asperger syndrome. I guess I will have to start watching and see how things are going! You can find the story about James Durbin here.
(3-14-11) Here is a feel-good story for the week! Introducing the Cupcake Hut and Rock 'N Roll Gift Shop! I wish I could shop here! See the story here about a mom's gift to her daughter.
(3-13-11) I haven't tried using these sounds in a music composition or group yet, but I can't wait! This website will keep you busy for a bit, but the best thing about it is that you can download the sounds! It is called AudienceSounds. You can find it here. Have fun!
(3-12-11) Representative Gifford's rehabilitation in Texas has given the profile of music therapy a huge boost in recent weeks. Here is a nice video story from a news station in Houston about some of the music therapy going on in the children's hospital. Channel 11 has the story here.
(3-11-11) I have been working with children with autism for years using augmentative communication devices like the DynaVox. The iPad is quicly replacing those devices as the choice for an assistive communication device. The iPad has revolutionized the ease of use and number of applications now available to children with autism as well as other disabilities. Fox News has a story about the incredible impact of the iPad on children with autism. You can find the story here.
(3-10-11) My daughter has several puzzles and toy sets made by Melissa and Doug. We have loved having the wooden puzzles that have sound effects and music for each puzzle piece. For Christmas, we received the wooden train set as a gift and it is a big hit! We actually had a problem with one of the pieces, but the M & D customer service was so helpful and we had a new piece by FedEx in a couple days at no charge! Amazon has several Melissa and Doug sets on sale through the end of the month:
(3-9-11) ABC news has an update on music therapy and Gabrielle Giffords here. She seems to be making very good progress and music therapy is definitely being showcased in her treatment! This is really a great turn of events from such a horrible tragedy.
(3-8-11) The movie, The Music Never Stopped, official trailer in HD is here.
(3-7-11) Time to check your health insurance policy and find out if you are covered for rehab services. You can't guarantee that you will receive the same type of intensive rehab, which includes music therapy, as Congresswoman Gifford just because you have private insurance. You need to know how the system works and read the fine print in your policy! The USA Today has the story here.
(3-6-11) In the Fall 2010, Dr. Jayne Standley presented on Music and the Brain at the Library of Congress. The library has finally posted a podcast that Dr. Standley did in conjunction with her presentation. If you want a great description and explanation about music therapy today, then listen here!
(3-5-11) Amazon has some children's DVDs on sale through the end of the month. You can find Bob the Builder and Thomas videos as well as many other favorites! Check them out here.
(3-4-11) If any of you music therapists missed the AMTA e-news email, here is the link to find out when the movie, "The Music Never Stopped," will be coming to a theater near you! Unfortunately, it does not look like it will be coming anywhere close by where I live! Check it out here.
(3-3-11) Update on Congresswoman Giffords. She continues to receive music therapy and make progress. The Arizona Daily Star has the story here.
(3-2-11) I just discovered a great article on how the healthcare bill (Obamacare) may affect music therapy services. Kudos to Kathy Lindberg for taking the time to read the actual bill! That must have required some serious caffeine! She cites some potential positive outcomes for music therapy as a result of the Affordable Healthcare Act, but I think it is way too early to tell. There are also so many potential negative aspects about the law that the overall bad may outweigh the small pieces of good embedded in the details. You can decide for yourself here.
(3-1-11) Simplesuperstar.com has started a new contest to find hidden singing talent without the need for travel. The nice twist to this competition is that they are donating proceeds to the Fender Foundation which has been a supporter of music therapy projects. I bet there are a few music therapists that could do well in this competition and we can all encourage others to participate and help music therapy at the same time! The news story is here.
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