All About AMT’s Intergenerational Groups

March 12, 2019 by CJ Shiloh Leave a Comment

Have you heard about our unique intergenerational music programs in Anne Arundel County? We are proud to offer the area’s ONLY intergenerational music classes led by board certified music therapists, and love bringing our youngest & wisest generations together through music experiences. But what is an IG group, anyway?

When you and your little one come to an intergenerational music group, you will…

Meet new grandfriends. Nothing lights up an independent or assisted living facility like a room full of adorable kiddos! The grandfriends we serve love giving high 5s, sharing stories, and singing songs with you.
Play instruments. Our groups also incorporate high quality instruments, like drums, shakers, rhythm sticks, and more. Often, we work together with our grandfriends to play these instruments, which makes it WAY more fun.
Shake your groove thing. We love to dance, dance, dance! Our music therapists bring movement props galore, from scarves to stretchy bands, and will lead you through action songs incorporating finger play, freestyle dancing, and sign language.

Hope to move, groove, and grow new friendships with you at one of our 4 intergenerational music groups in Severna Park, Annapolis, and Edgewater very soon!

Are you a family interested in attending one of our free intergenerational groups? Save your spot here.

Are you a facility interested in hosting an intergenerational group? E-mail us at admin@annapolismusictherapy.com today!

#MTadvocacy Month: What’s Your Advocacy Song?

January 17, 2018 by CJ Shiloh Leave a Comment

January is Music Therapy Social Media Advocacy Month, and this year we are selecting and sharing songs that could serve as an advocacy song for our profession. Before choosing my song, I wanted to consider the American Music Therapy Association’s definition of an advocate. In their words, “a successful advocate is someone with passion and commitment to an idea, who tells a convincing story expressing their beliefs and passion.” With this in mind, I selected the song “Sing” originally by My Chemical Romance as my advocacy song of choice.

I believe the song showcases a passion for singing out in any circumstance, despite any adversity that may stand in the way. Music therapists similarly need to speak out to anyone who will listen to further inform the world about our profession. While music therapy has been an established, credentialed profession for many decades, many people still have not heard of music therapy or the many benefits it can provide. Through advocacy efforts, music therapists can continue to educate their communities and increase accessibility to music therapy services.

The chorus of the song mentions singing for all (the boys, the girls, the Deaf, the blind, to name a few). As music therapists, we should “sing” for, and more importantly, sing with, those who may have difficulty standing up for themselves. We advocate not only for our profession, but for the rights of our clients. Another stand-out section of the song comes in the second verse, where the band sings, “You’ve got to make the choice if the music drowns you out. And raise your voice every single time they try and shut your mouth.” Music therapists have to carry on with our advocacy efforts even when other professions, legislation, or members of the community may try to silence our words. Music therapists must persevere to continually speak up for the importance and validity of our profession.

I think “Sing” encapsulates this overall sentiment of standing up for your beliefs quite well. “Sing” was also covered on the hit show Glee, which provides a pop-style arrangement that further popularized the song. My Chemical Romance gives the song an alternative rock feel, and the intensity of the emotion behind the lyrics really shines through. I encourage you to listen to the full song from the link below!

Yours,

Valerie Kamen, Senior Intern

Holiday Event: Jingle & Mingle on December 8th!

November 27, 2017 by CJ Shiloh Leave a Comment

Babies ages 0-4 and their caregivers are invited to attend! $20 event fee fee covers baby, loved one & one older sibling up to age 5. Please e-mail us at admin@annapolismusictherapy.com to register.

Click here to learn more about our family music classes & winter 2018 schedule!

#mtadvocacy month once again, how did a year go by so fast?

January 29, 2016 by CJ Shiloh Leave a Comment

Hello friends and fans of Annapolis Music Therapy! First, sorry. I’m simply terrible at blogging and staying on top of social media. In fact, you might notice that my last blog post on this site (not including our recent job announcement) was for the annual #mtadvocacy. And lo and behold, it’s January once again.

Good news is, you’ll be hearing much more from us in 2016 because I’ve got some guest bloggers lined up!

The latest stage of professional growth for me has been starting a college internship program. Last year I was approached by two, very brilliant and non-typical college students, each with great passion and a sure knowledge that my practice would be the perfect fit for them to complete their 1000 hours of internship. I was sold! So 2016 I’ve jumped in headfirst by starting TWO interns, Jan-Aug 2016 (university affiliates through Slippery Rock and Immaculata Universities). Both Rachel and Janice will be working with me and my employees, seeing clients at our clinic and out in the community, as well as other projects connected with my private practice (Annapolis Music Therapy Services) and nonprofit (The Musical Autist).
One of these projects will be monthly blog posts! (whew, what a relief, as you can see by all the tumbleweed around here).

Before turning it over to Janice in the next post, first let’s take a look at the topic for #mtadvocacy this year, right here at the Music Therapy State Recognition site. It has to do with what type of advocate you are, or at least most closely identify with. A Connector, Reflector, or Director?

Whether you’re an advocate for music therapy or disability rights (or both, like me) these descriptions are pretty helpful in assessing your strengths. I definitely see elements of myself in all three.

CONNECTORS – Building Bridges

“Connectors” are people who are gifted at building bridges by bringing others together and recognizing complimentary skill sets in those that they know. Connectors enjoy creating opportunities for people from diverse background and experiences to meet and interact. The role of the Connector in advocacy is to maximize the human resources available to them and to increase the network for their cause by helping interested parties get to know one another and discuss common interests. It is often the Connectors who are able to establish relationships with legislators or other decision makers that develops them into incredible advocates.

REFLECTORS – Holding Up the Mirror

“Reflectors” are gifted at taking in information, experiences, and perceptions and—as the name implies—reflecting back the most salient points to those around them. Reflectors often have a knack for diffusing situations by indicating an understanding and empathy for someone else’s position. Reflectors also make great advocates because of their fierce loyalty to their cause. Their ability to see issues from multiple perspectives and then to communicate that to multiple audiences brings all sides of an issue to the foreground for discussion. Reflectors unite various individuals and guide the group to a vision that recognizes the complexity of all issues.

DIRECTORS – Consulting the Compass

“Directors” are the ones who are able to see the big picture of possibilities that exist beyond the current situation. They are able to assimilate the work of the “Reflectors” and the “Connectors” and navigate a course of next steps based on that information. Directors also gather additional relevant information as they move forward and constantly attend to what course corrections are necessary to get to their end goal. Those who are most successful in this role demonstrate flexibility in their thinking and actions, which allows them to accommodate to various situations that are presented and that often change without prior notice. Directors take a broad view of an issue, projecting out beyond it’s current status or challenge and using an ideal vision or end goal to guide the day-to-day steps necessary to get there.