CYM Field Trip to the PSO- Holst's The Planets, February 8th

The pre-concert talk begins at 7:00pm.  Additional tickets may be purchased through CYM at the discounted rate of $15. Email us at info@youngmusicians.org or call 724-935-0505 and reserve your space!

CYM Field Trip to the PSO- Helene Grimaud, February 2nd

The pre-concert talk begins at 1:30pm, and CYM piano and strings students will provide a pre-concert performance. Additional tickets may be purchased through CYM at the discounted rate of $15. Email us at info@youngmusicians.org or call 724-935-0505 and reserve your space!

Music Therapy is for Everyone- Workshop with Ms. Kate, MT-BC February 15

“Did you say music therapy?? What is that?” This is a question I hear on a regular basis. The answer can be as simple as using music in therapy. But what exactly does that mean?

The official definition of music therapy is, “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” (musictherapy.org)

Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

• Promote Wellness
• Manage Stress
• Alleviate Pain
• Express Feelings
• Enhance Memory
• Improve Communication
• Promote Physical Rehabilitation

Ok so that’s great but this definition still leaves you to wonder…what is music therapy? What do you do?

Music therapy can be difficult to definite because it encompasses so much. Music therapists work with a variety of individuals. I have worked in nursing homes, hospice facilities, preschools, high schools and rehabilitation programs.  Music therapists also work in hospitals, correctional facilities, special education programs, halfway homes, wellness groups…the list can go on.

To gain a better understanding of music therapy I’m going to focus on music therapy for children with different disabilities. There are many similarities between this focus of music therapy and the teachings of Suzuki and CYM.

As you probably well know it is not just about learning an instrument here at CYM. There is so much an individual gains from active participation in music and learning an instrument.  Mr. Ryan shared a quote with you all in his article “Points for Parents” that truly resonates with what music therapy is all about.  The quote comes from the man himself, Dr. Suzuki:

          "Teaching music is not my main purpose.  I want to make good citizens, noble human beings.  If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance.  He gets a beautiful heart." 

         

When I first read this quote it struck a special chord with me (pun intended!). I knew that I was working for a center that understood the “back stage” of learning an instrument.

          This “back stage” includes developing the following abilities: to listen, observe, concentrate, perform, and persevere. Above all this back stage includes developing abilities of the heart: the self-expression and creativity that goes into music. (Jeanne Luedke Parent Education Newsletter)

Music therapy makes it possible for everyone to work on these abilities. The traditional music lesson is not suitable for every child. This is where music therapy comes into play. A music therapist is able to meet the needs of the individual by adapting music experiences. These music experiences are varied and involve the children in creating music.

Music experiences may involve:

·       Moving to music

·       Playing different instruments

·       Singing

·       Playing as a part of an ensemble

·       Writing Songs/ Creating musical stories

Utilizing music in this way creates the opportunity for these children to discover, search, relate, explore and learn.  Music therapy is different for each person because everyone is unique. How each of us responds to and relates to music is different. Music therapy takes the time to respect and recognize these differences to help children in reaching their full potential, to continuously develop and grow in their abilities.

Music therapy doesn’t look like a music lesson, but there is one similarity for sure. Music is being created.

Come to the workshop Music Therapy is for Everyone to learn more!

Great resources/articles to learn more on music therapy: 

·       Musictherapy.org (the official website for the American Music Therapy Association)

·       http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/ (Nordoff-Robbins “Music Transforming Lives”) 

·       http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/health/music-therapy/ (article on music therapy) 

·       http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-littlefield/music-creativity-potential_b_4118737.html (article on music and creativity)

Please feel free to contact me at kschnieder@youngmusicians.org with any questions you may have about this article, music therapy and/or the upcoming workshop!

Helping My Child Practice Independently by Ms. Stella Bonilla

Ms. Stella and her son, Andreas

Helping my independent child practice independently

I love being a parent of music-lessons-taking child.  Since my 12 year old son so honestly admitted, “No offense mommy but I am much better off if you are not my teacher,” I have resolved to siting comfortably on the parents couch, relaxing and watching him interact with his teacher and learn. 

My favorite activity now is taking notes.  I start with fresh page, put the correct date on top and write the first category: scale, review or appropriate warm up activity, as requested by the teacher.  As my son plays, I listen intently.  When he stops awaiting comments, I write down as many key phrases as I can hear in his teacher’s comments: relaxed shoulders, bent bow thumb, fingers on tapes, bow in third lane.  As he plays to make corrections, I observe again, how is it this time, what helped him.  I proceed in the same manner through the rest of the lesson, which will include two or three more sections: technique (tricky spots, previews, etudes) and main piece.

You may ask, why go to such length?  Because not only am I not my son’s teacher anymore, but I am also constantly asked not to be a part of the teacher-student-parent triangle.   My son is an independent practicer!  And this is SO hard for ME!  For me, who KNOWS how to make things easy, who has been there done that! “Thanks but NO”, he says.  He is independent!

Here is where my detailed notes become so handy.  I design a practice chart modeling the lesson.  Let’s say he starts with a scale (or review); I specify the goal and number of repeats, as well as tempo at which to be played (nothing fancy, if in doubt slow is always good).  Sometimes each repeat can have a different goal, for example, first time: long full bows, second time: relaxed shoulders, third time: correct intonation.  I proceed in the same manner with the rest of the pieces, specifying measure numbers, isolating small sections, assigning one short goal at a time, as well as number of repeats. 

I also go back to the notes of the previous lessons.  If I notice that relaxed shoulder, or bent fingers has been mentioned over and over, I make sure to include it in every practice chart, again one of the repeats can be dedicated to that goal.  Some skills take longer time to acquire, or they come back when the level of complexity of music or the context has changed.  However, I also try to switch the goals around in order to avoid mental fatigue or tuning out, as well as to challenge different hands, fingers or muscles.

 

While he navigates through the steps, my son also checks each activity as he progresses through the practice.  He knows what amount of work is done and what is left.   

Oh, and he stopped asking “Are we there yet?”

CYM Holiday Break is Dec. 23- Jan. 4

CYM's Holiday Break begins Monday, December 23- Saturday, January 4. Classes resume again on Monday,  January 6.

Wishing all our families a warm and happy holiday season and many blessings in the new year!

Curriculum Nights on January 23 and 24

Join us in January 2014 in Wexford or Sewickley for these very important nights at CYM. Current families can listen first hand to their child's teachers explain the goals, content, and motivation behind many of CYM's programs.

Take the opportunity to ask important questions about your child's musical journey and gain perspective to keep your family's musical goals going strong through the school year.

New families can meet teachers, learn about CYM philosophies, goals, and methods, and take home registration information. 

2014-2015 School Year Enrollment Forms will be available for attendees!

Sewickley Light Up Night is this Friday

Join us for our first holiday performance of the season! 

Above is the student performance group line-up for the evening. Performers and their families should plan to be unpacked, tuned, in their seats, and ready to go at the beginning of their group's time slot.