As we prepare for 2021, I am making time to review new recipes and priorities that I wrangled with since spring 2020. I am also reminded how important it is to adapt my stress management strategies. Part of my routine is running several times a week. Though I begin my route with prayer, the playlist that I stream has evolved greatly these past few months. Similarly the music that I listen to when doing dishes and preparing meals has changed. At times I needed solely instrumental music or a cappella arrangements. 


Music was woven throughout my day to help create balance and stability amidst a stressfully fluid season. There is research that correlates to the benefits of music incorporated into one's routines & habits. 

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Dr. Kimberly Sena Moore, MT-BC shared a blog post to Psychology Today early into the pandemic with dozens of ways that a person could use music to help their daily lives during social distancing. Check it out here. The infographic "My COVID-19 Daily Routine" created by graduate students at Temple University help to highlight ways that music can be purposefully useful during your time at home.

As 2020 winds down, what are your care based intentions entering 2021? Perhaps the arts will play a new or evolved role in your daily schedule. Interested in exploring music genres & artists? Here are some resources to help:
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• National Public Radio's Tiny Desk Concert Playlists
• The Hot 100 Chart by Billboard Media
• WFAE's Amplifier Podcast exploring Charlotte based musicians 

Share how this post resonates with you or share playlist favorites that motivate you to make the most out of each day!

Our studio offered a hybrid recital amidst COVID19. While there was extra preparation, it was a safe & successful event. Here are the top four take aways:
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1. Community Collaboration: our private practice and studio were grateful for a local church’s partnership that provided beautiful and accessible outdoor space suitable for an outdoor concert. Needs to consider: handicap parking, bathroom, electricity for instruments and microphones and elevated stage. 
2. Teamwork Planning: the amount of materials that we needed to transport to an off-work site was substantial. Additionally it was a feat to coordinate the technology access for displaying remote performances at the live event. We began a digital list 2 months prior identified tasks within our team.
3. Clear Messaging: studio families were informed of the alternate hybrid concert at the beginning of the semester due to pandemic concerns. We did not host a reception following the performances, nor allow early arrivers to "warm-up" on or off stage. Individuals were informed of the contingency plan due to inclement weather but thankfully the sunshine was glowing that afternoon!
4. Digital Communications: we created digital programs that families accessed with a QR Code - it was printed and displayed at the event plus emailed ahead of time. Families also had communication inviting them to bring their own chairs/blankets.

P.S.
In the future we'll incorporate creative clothes pins that students can decorate ahead of time or receive as performance gifts to secure their sheet music since it was breezy!

Team members on staff at PMT use various materials to support learners of all abilities.

The following linked resources are helpful during music therapy treatment and music lessons...

1. Dry erase markers that are color coded for musical instruments. For example, red is used for C.
2. Removable tape to create your own dry erased colors on musical instruments like a digital piano.
3. Pre-colored sticker dots of various sizes to apply on musical instruments or sheet music.
4. Set of resonator bells that are color coded for pitches. For example, orange is D.
5. Set of resonator bells that play easier when being hand held. The pitch coloring pairs with the general color scheme of C=red, D=orange, etc.
6. Set of diatonic Boomwhacker instruments that can be color coded. Two pitches are uniquely colored: sol G and la ​A.

Miriam Tart, MMT, MT-BC recently arranged songbooks with color coding on the treble clef staff. Check out those digital resources available for purchase at $12/volume. They're categorized by genres of 1980's Decade, 1990's Decade, Rap, Rock, Religious, Pop and Country and include simplified rhythmic notation. They pair perfectly for desk bells and hand bells. Note that Boomwhackers include altered colors for G & A pitches.

We hope these linked resource are useful for you and your loved ones making music and creating sound with colorful resources!