Deck the Halls
This year I went to the mall on Halloween morning. They were putting up the Christmas displays. I was dismayed. I am someone who enjoys Halloween and Thanksgiving, before I want to see Christmas decorations. This is not the way it works elsewhere in America, however,...
A Guide to Baritone, Euphonium and Tuba
Deanna Swoboda, former tubist with the internationally recognized Dallas Brass, is Assistant Professor of Music at Western Michigan University where she teaches tuba and euphonium and performs with the Western Brass Quintet, a resident faculty ensemble. Since 1994,...
Helping Ship the Sound of Music Around the World
Every other Friday is payday at Westco, the fulfillment center for West Music Company. That fact is particularly exciting for three of the company's newest employees, who recently gained their first taste of community employment through Westco. Paul Harmsen, Buddy...
Lessons Learned from My Internship
I started my internship in July and have 2 weeks left. The time has gone so fast! When I began applying for internships, the main characteristic of the internship that I was looking at was experience with populations that I had not worked with. I did not have...
Within the Walls of Music Therapy
Let me take you on a mental journey inside the walls of a music therapy session (picture a small closet, a conference room, the end of a hallway). Today our subject will be a 4 year old with autism. His goals (from his Individual Education Plan) include using 3-word...
Hard To Be Humble
Today was not hard to be humble. I think most people who know me would say that needing to be perfect is not a huge issue for me. But today I received a true gift as a music therapist …. And all I had to do was follow the lead of others. I walked into a care center...
Where is Your Music Therapist?
Music therapists, in general, have to wear many different hats throughout the week, and for those individuals who receive music therapy they generally don’t see their music therapist more than once a week or once every other week. So where is your music therapist...
National Teacher Registry Partners With West Music
Walnut Creek, CA (October 8, 2010) — National Teacher Registry (NTR) announced today the addition of West Music to the National Teacher Registry family of suppliers. NTR has expanded its education products by partnering with West Music Company in response to requests...
Obsession: Cupcakes, Chiquitas, and Recommendations
Do you ever have those times where you are just completely obsessed with things? You know, so much so that your friends give you a hard time about it every time they can. Not a DSM-IV type of obsession, just a healthy love and passion for something. Lately, mine has...
Oh Baby: Music for Early Autism
by Sunny Layne CEDAR FALLS (KWWL) -- Autism is often isolating for both the people who have the disorder, and their loved ones. But parents who are joining with music therapists from West Music stores to unlock the door to speaking, learning and life. Learning the...
The Awkward Silence
I think everyone has experienced at some point the awkward silence in conversation. It is probably the thing that I dread most while in a hospice session. I am always trying to avoid those awkward moments, filling the holes with wordage or saying “how about another...
When Can Pre-Recorded Music Be Therapeutic?
Though I play the majority of the music in my music therapy groups live, I find that it is often beneficial to include one or two pre-recorded songs in a session to free up my hands so that I can effectively interact with my clients as well as provide hand-over-hand...