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5 Songs to Get You in the Summer Mood

by Amy Thomas | Jun 15, 2021

Summer is just around the corner, and this year brings a lot to celebrate. You may have finished up your first year of virtual teaching or homeschooling. Maybe you can finally travel to see family that you’ve been missing! If staying home is in your plans, don’t hesitate to turn the music up loud and simply enjoy the sunshine. Upstate is here to share five songs that are tried and true to get you in the summer mood.

1) Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow

If you’re hit with a rainy day this time of year, it’s easy to get sucked back into the wintertime blues. Soak up this melody and let this classic boost your mood!

2) I’m Comin’ Out from the Trolls Soundtrack

With this throwback mashup you’re bound to get everyone in the house up and dancing! Even the kids will know it if they’ve seen the hit movie Trolls. Schools out and I’m Comin’ Out is a great way to kick off summer vacation!

3) All Summer Long by Kid Rock

If you’re a fan of country or rock music, this one’s for you! Here in the Rochester area, we are all about lake life. Close your eyes and picture a day fishing from a dock or floating on an inner tube with your feet in the cool water. Those days aren’t that far away!

4) Summer of 69′ by Bryan Adams

What were you doing the summer that this song came out? Were you working your first summer job? Or, maybe you were still a kid enjoying carefree days of no school. If this song was before your time it’s still bound to conjure some memories of summers past.

5) Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Last but not least we have a summer anthem like no other. If you know a music therapist, chances are they have played this one a time or two to bring the sunshine into music.

We hope one or more of these songs brings you some joy this summer! For many, summer 2021 is a time to celebrate and make up for the difficulties of 2020. No matter where you are or what you’re doing this year, turn up that radio dial, dance, and sing along.

World Music Therapy Week 2024

Apr 3, 2024

This blog was written by Robin Neary and Amy Thomas. Happy World Music Therapy week! It brings us joy to know that all around the world music therapists are coming together to celebrate and educate our communities on our profession. This year, Upstate Music Therapy...

The Planets: A Story Orchestra

Apr 3, 2024

Blog post written by Abby Hamel On April 8th, 2024, an out-of-this-world event will occur: the solar eclipse! Rochester is lucky enough to be in the path of totality for this eclipse and I can feel the excitement around me. The Planets by Helen Mortimer is the newest...

Children’s Songs That Won’t Drive You Mad

Apr 3, 2024

Blog written by Rebecca Szalay If you are the parent of a young child, chances are you have a CD or playlist of young children’s songs that you listen to everywhere, especially in the car. You may also find yourself singing “Baby Shark” in the grocery store because...

Pause and Hear the Sounds of Spring

by Amy Thomas | Mar 23, 2021

Blog post written by Katie Pistilli.

The world is awakening from its winter slumber and the quiet hibernation of winter is nearing its end. Before we know it, the trees and flowers will be blooming! Maybe you’re already feeling a tickle in your nose from spring allergies. In the year since our world shut down due to the pandemic, no life has gone unchanged. By bringing attention to the seasons, nature, and the sounds of spring around us, perhaps we can see that as the cycles of nature continue, so too can our lives as we know them. No matter how complicated things may seem, there is always a moment to step back and breath in the beauty around us.

In the past couple of years, the term Forest Bathing has grown in popularity. A TIME article published in 2018 explains that the Japanese mindfulness practice heightens feelings of well-being and happiness. You don’t need to have access to a forest to reap the benefits of this practice. Nature is all around us, from the few trees on the edge of your school parking lot, to the birds flying above the city in the sky. Forest bathing is one way to practice mindfulness, and it’s as simple as taking a step out the front door!

Go outside.

See the changes all around you. Are there more colors in the world than there were last week? Yellow, purple, and white flowers are emerging from the soil. Green buds are popping on the trees. Using all your senses, smell the spring rain and mud. Feel the air that becomes warmer as spring settles in. Have you noticed any fresh herbs available in the grocery store? Fun fact: asparagus is usually the first crop to arrive this time of year!

What do you hear?

As a music lover, you may be especially sensitive to the sounds around you. The music of spring takes many forms. You may hear water flowing in a nearby creek or gutter in a parking lot. As you walk out your front doorstep in the morning, there may be birds singing a song. How many different bird songs do you hear? On a chillier day, the ever-famous winds of March may be blowing on your doorstep. Maybe you hear a neighbor’s windchime moving with the wind.

If you are housebound due to a COVID quarantine or caretaking of a family member, you can still witness the sounds of spring. Open up a window and breathe in the air. Share a video such as the ones below with a loved one. Close your eyes, and soak in the gentle sounds.

By reading this blog, we hope you were able to take an opportunity to relax. Think about all you, your family, and our world has been through this year. We have made it to a new season. Hopefully, this spring will bring joy in more ways than one as our towns, countries, and world continue to heal from the COVID-19 pandemic. During these endlessly uncertain times, it’s important to give yourself some grace. Take a moment with your children, your partner, or a moment alone to listen to the world around you. Life has gone on and begun again. The music of spring is here for all who care to listen for it.

Nature’s Instruments: Making Music Outside

May 2, 2022

Spring is finally here! The daffodils are blooming, the Easter bunny made his visits, and families are itching to get out of the house. In the spring, the outside world is full of sounds. Last week, we shared the blog Pause and Hear the Sounds of Spring to practice...

Current Events: Thrive to Survive Workshop

Mar 22, 2022

Written by Katie Pistilli, MT-BC This month, Upstate Music Therapy Center employees Erin Triola, LCAT, MT-BC and Katie Pistilli, MT-BC met a wonderful group of people through the Thrive to Survive support group. Katie and Erin conducted a workshop for Thrive to...

Parenting: Finding Calm in the Chaos (Part 2)

Jan 31, 2022

Understanding ourselves, as parents, and being aware of how we respond to difficult situations, can greatly improve our parenting approach and by doing so increase healthy and helpful interactions with our children. When this happens boththe parents, children, and...

Jazz Music Cocktail: A Healthy Recipe for the Season

by Amy Thomas | Nov 29, 2020

Do you think these legendary jazz musicians – Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker or Miles Davis – could have ever imagined the impact their music would have on a person’s mind, body and soul?

Jazz music developed in the United States in the very early part of the 20th century. New Orleans, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, played a key role in this development. African American musical traditions mixed with others caused jazz to emerge into a blend of ragtime, marches, blues, and other kinds of music.

This passionately played and written music isn’t just pleasing to the ear, there are health benefits associated with specific jazz styles. The benefits are wide-ranging, but for this blog we have chosen to focus on jazz’s power to relax us, regulate blood pressure, and increase successful sleep patterns.

Join us as we mix up a jazz music cocktail. We suggest this cocktail for stress reduction as we enter the holidays. Our recipe or one you choose to create, when listened to regularly, is sure to provide you with a happy and healthier holiday season.

Ingredient #1 Better Mood: Studies show after listening to jazz music for an hour every day for a week, listeners experience 25% less depression than non-listeners.

Begin the Beguine

by Beegie Adair

Ingredient #2 Better Regulated Blood Pressure: According to studies, music (including jazz) and laughter can lower blood pressure by causing blood vessels to expand by up to 30%.

Alone

by Kenny G

Ingredient #3 Better Sleep: Studies show that just 45 min of soft, slow music (60-80 BPM) like jazz, before bedtime results in better and longer night-time sleep which allows for more productivity during the day.

Unspoken

by Chuck Loeb

With so many styles of jazz music to choose from, the options are endless. Create your own recipe by using a mix of ragtime, smooth jazz, big band, jazz-funk, or cool jazz. Whatever you choose, studies confirm that you are making a heart and mind healthy choice.

Here is a fun fact. A study conducted by Dorothy Retallack in 1973 played music to plants for two weeks. Plants “listening” to classical and jazz music physically leaned 15 to 20 degrees toward the radio. Plants even sense the importance of leaning in and appreciating the joy of jazz.

Cheers to you, as you mix your own special jazz cocktail this holiday season!

Enhancing Lives Through Music Services

by Amy Thomas | Oct 18, 2020

Enhancing Lives Through Music Services

Do you have a child who recently graduated high school or aged out of their school-based music therapy services? Are you homeschooling or have a school-age child or preschooler who is now learning remotely? Maybe you are looking for a music experience to enrich your child or family member’s life? There are a variety of music opportunities through UMTC that can be conducted in your home, at our office, or virtually. These services are intended for members of our community of all ages and abilities. Read on to see if there is a service that grabs your attention!

Private Music Therapy Sessions

Perhaps you are searching for private music therapy services. There are many circumstances where music therapy may be an appropriate treatment option outside of the school setting – available for both children and adults. Music therapy may be recommended if the individual is more focused or completes tasks more consistently and successfully when music is used. Another circumstance would be if music elicits a non-verbal individual to make vocal sounds or attempts to sing songs or if an individual has limited mobility and is moving body parts to the beat of the music. Maybe your loved one has shown a strength in the area of music and you would like to explore the therapeutic options. The process to receiving music therapy services outside of school is different for everyone. Don’t hesitate to contact us to see what that process may look like for your child or family member.

Music Appreciation Class

Music Appreciation Class is a great way to expose the participant to different types of music, instruments, and activities in a small group setting. The best part is that the structure is totally flexible based on the participant’s interests! The music class leader wants the participant to be in charge and will create memorable, fun, and stimulating activities for them. Music appreciation is appropriate for all ages and abilities including families, siblings, or small groups.

Learning Through Music Class

Learning Through Music Class creates a wonderful engaging environment for individuals of any age to learn new skills or concepts. No matter what the topic, music can be paired with learning. The class offers instrument playing, singing, movement, and mnemonics (songs paired with concepts for improving and assisting the memory). The groups range from one to five participants.

Instrumental or Voice Lessons

Private instrumental or voice lessons are meant to be flexible for any learner! Adaptations can be made for diverse learning styles or those with a non-traditional approach to learning. If you know someone who has always wanted to learn an instrument or learn to sing, lessons through UMTC may be just right for them. We will ensure the lessons are structured for the participant to reach their maximum potential!

Where are the classes conducted due to COVID19?

Our classes are offered in-home, in schools and preschools, at our Penfield center, and virtually. In light of the pandemic, the decision of where to provide the service is dependent on the specific circumstances for everyone. Our therapists and class leaders are using PPE and all mandated safety protocol is being followed.

Funding may be available through your Self-Direction budget. For more information about Self-Direction contact our office. We welcome all questions about community-based music therapy services and prices? Click below to learn more.

SERVICES FOR ADULTS

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

CONTACT US

Becoming MT-BCs: Presented by Casey Kunzer, MT-BC

Apr 10, 2024

This blog was written by Casey Kunzer, MT-BC On March 1st myself and my colleague Lauren had the opportunity to attend and present at SUNY Fredonia’s Mini Music Therapy Conference. Our presentation, “Becoming MT-BCs,” aimed to educate and empower student music...

World Music Therapy Week 2024

Apr 3, 2024

This blog was written by Robin Neary and Amy Thomas. Happy World Music Therapy week! It brings us joy to know that all around the world music therapists are coming together to celebrate and educate our communities on our profession. This year, Upstate Music Therapy...

Current Events: Marcus Whitman Community Partnership Event

Oct 26, 2022

This blog post was written by Robin Neary, MT-BC This month, Upstate Music Therapy Center employees Robin Neary, MT-BC, Jamie Swieringa, MT-BC, and Casey Kunzer, MT had the pleasure of attending Marcus Whitman School District’s Community Partnership Event. Families,...

Post-Grad Music Therapy: A Parent’s Perspective

by Amy Thomas | Aug 28, 2020

Congrats to the Class of 2020! Mari Johnson is one of many students who graduated high school from Newark Education Center this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than concluding her services, Mari transitioned to community-based music therapy services this summer. Mari’s mother, Tammy, was gracious enough to discuss the family’s many years receiving music therapy as well as what it was like to transition to virtual therapy.

Below is Tammy’s interview conducted by Mari’s music therapist and UMTC employee, Katie Pistilli.

1) For how long has Mari received music therapy services through Upstate Music Therapy Center?

Mari has received music classes/therapy services from Upstate Music Therapy Center since 2005, 15 years!

2) What inspired you to initially seek out music therapy for Mari?

I sought music therapy services for Mari because music was a game changer, it removed barriers for her! Music motivated and calmed her; music completely turned off the “upset” light switch! Music also stimulated and developed her cognition and language abilities. Metaphorically speaking, it’s almost like music opens the windows in your house and lets that refreshing breeze in.

3) In your eyes, how does music therapy benefit Mari?

In my eyes, music benefits Mari as an organized, predictable way to express her wants, needs, and feelings, while gaining confidence and knowledge!

4) What was it like receiving music therapy over Zoom for the first time? Has it helped her transition after graduation?

Receiving Music Therapy over zoom the first time was a wonderful, familiar re-connection/continuation to Mari’s daily schedule.

5) Now that Mari has graduated, what do you see the role of music therapy being in her life?

Music classes/therapy will continue to play a major role in Mari’s life post–graduation. In Mari’s life, music is equivalent to oxygen!

6) Do you have any advice for parents questioning whether they should pursue self-direct services post-graduation?

The advice I have for parents questioning whether or not to pursue self-direction services is…. As a parent you know your child’s needs the best! Self-Direction services can provide access to goods and services in your community that will help your child. I would encourage you to advocate for Self-Direction services to help you help your child.

7) Do you have any stories that you would like to share about music therapy and Mari?

Music therapy/classes has provided carryover into all areas of Mari’s life and development. A recent example of this was when Mari was working with another therapist. In the beginning of the session Mari made a few requests on her communication device what she wanted to do after her work was complete. When we didn’t understand her request, she sang her request!

Music is an access road that leads to a destination, a superhighway leads to that same destination, the road we take doesn’t matter…. what matters is that we both arrived safely!

Thank you, Mari and Tammy!

UMTC is grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you for the past 15 years. We cannot wait to continue growing with Mari in the future.

If you are a parent interested in self-direct pay services for your young adult or graduate, please contact us! Email Amy: amy@upstatemtc.com or give us a call at (585) 377-1000

August Book: Hands to Heart

by Amy Thomas | Aug 7, 2020

Blog post written by Kayla Davitt, MT-BC

Song performed and recorded by Jamie Swieringa, MT-BC

Stress. Stress of the unknown, stress of responsibilities. Now more than ever, we find ourselves in a time full of uncertainty. With schools announcing their plans for reopening, these times ahead are sure to be full of anxiety and worry. As adults, we have a better understanding of how to handle the stressors of everyday life. However, young children may not know how to express how they are feeling or how to regulate their bodies to bring them back to a state of calm. But, with Alex Bauermesiter’s book Hands to Heart: Breathe and Bend with Animal Friends, children will be able to relate their emotions with animals in the book and learn how to use yoga poses (demonstrated by the animals in the book) to calm themselves down and relax.

As a music therapy agency, we at UMTC find it extremely important to address the mental health of children through the use of music. One of our therapists, Jamie Swieringa, has written a melody to use along with this book in order to bring in the element of music to assist relaxation.

In order to get the most out of all this book has to offer, here are some suggestions to keep in mind:

Deep breathing

This book focuses a lot on simple yoga poses. However, your child will benefit more from the poses if they pair them with deep breathing. Encourage your child to breath from their belly while keeping their shoulders down. This type of breathing through the diaphragm will force our bodies to slow down and focus.

Adjust the poses as necessary

Most of the yoga poses in this book are straightforward, but some do involve laying on the floor. If your child is unable to lay on the floor for any reason, they can still do the poses! Everyone has different abilities, so it is perfectly acceptable to adjust the poses as necessary in order to help your child be most successful.

Zones of regulation

For those students that are older, you can use this book to identify the different zones of regulation. If you are not familiar with the zones of regulation, click here to learn more. It is a system in which emotions are put into colored categories: red, blue, green, and yellow. Encourage your child to identify how they are feeling, what zone that feeling is in, and what they can do to get themselves back to the “green zone” or a state of calm.

We hope you enjoy using this book in your homeschooling adventures! For more resources and activities to use with your children, please visit our “Resources” tab located at the top of the page.

If you are interested in purchasing Hands to Heart: Breathe and Bend with Animal Friends, click here.

Happy reading!