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Matt Logan

6 More Common Hospice Music Therapy Songs

After several more months of serving hospice clients, I have more to add to my original post, The Top 6 Hospice Songs I Use.  I have a bit more experience under my belt now, and I've had several more requests from patients and family members.  After doing a bit of quick math, I came to the rough conclusion that I sing between 600 and 800 songs a month, just during hospice visits!  Holy smokes!  I know some of you out there are singing just as many if not more!  Of…
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October 2010 Student and Intern Support

Again, thanks to all who participated in last month's project!  I am really pleased with the number of entries. Ok, so here we go!  The project for October is to create an audio public service announcement geared toward potential music therapy students.  The PSA should address the following: The awesomeness of the field of music therapy What coursework a student can expect in a music therapy degree program What happens after completion of the degree, i.e. internship Where a music therapist can expect to work following internship What board certification…
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Hello Song Contest Winner!

There were so many wonderful entries to this contest!  A huge thank you goes out to the contestants, the judges, and September's sponsor, the Iowa Chapter of Music Therapy.  With such great entries, it was a really close contest.  Congratulations goes out to September's winner, Lindsay Hirata!  This is what the judges had to say: "Very effective in its clean and predicatable simplicity." "I love Lindsay's voice and affect! Really engaging and likable. The song is short and sweet and I like that it includes directives." "Pauses clearly prompt client…
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Imagine: Early Childhood Music Therapy

In case you missed the debut of Imagine, here is the press release for this excellent resource: September 1, 2010: The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is proud to announce the debut of the inaugural issue of imagine, the first annual online magazine dedicated to Early Childhood Music Therapy. Edited by Dr. Petra Kern, imagine strives to enhance the lives of young children and their families through music by sharing knowledge, strategies, ideas, and government related issues with colleagues around the world. The magazine may be accessed at the following link: www.imagine.musictherapy.biz
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Music Therapy Student and Intern Support – September Project

Submissions for this project are due September 24th.  I look forward to seeing all of your submissions! Here is a transcription of the speaking points about September's project: Music Therapy students and interns are eligible to participate in this program and compete for an award of $100 US.  Most importantly, by participating, you are sharing knowledge and ideas with the music therapy community at large, as well as helping to advocate for the field.  This is the primary purpose of this program, and we are lucky enough to be able…
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Announcements: New AMTAS Website, Student and Intern Support

The American Music Therapy Association Students has a new website with a fresh look.  If you are a student or professional, be sure to check out the new site and all the wonderful content up there!  If you have comments or suggestions, please contact AMTAS advisor and website creator, Dr. Petra Kern, whose email address can be found on the site. Also, with school starting up again soon, we will get the Student and Intern Support program up and running once more.  There will be 5 more music therapy student…
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Guest Work: Research and ASD Techniques

This is an article by my colleague and fellow music therapist, Denise Coovert.  She works with many populations, but specializes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  This is a review of a recent research article out of the Journal of Music Therapy.  She reminds us of the importance of staying up to date on research-based techniques and applying them in our practice.  Thanks for the summary! “Effect of ‘Developmental Speech and Language Training Through Music’ on Speech Production in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” by Hayoung A. Lim, PhD, MT-BC,…
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Hospice Reflections

After a little more than five months of working in this field, I have the following reflections: 1.)  Working in hospice care is an honor. For our clients, we are some of the last people they meet in their lifetime.  The entire hospice team (docs, nurses, social workers, aids, etc.)  has a tremendous impact on the quality of a person's final months, days, and hours.  Receiving the trust of patients and their families during this intimate and reflective time is an incredible honor. 2.)  Music is especially powerful in the…
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Assistantship for MT Students and Interns

The fine folks at the Music Therapy Round Table have a really neat opportunity for students and interns.  They have created a paid assistantship for their website and podcast.  See details here! The duties of the MT Round Table Assistant are: 1. Listen to each podcast episode 2. Accurately type transcription including adding hyperlinks where necessary 3. Complete and submit transcript within 3 days of receipt Applicants MUST: 1. Be a music therapy intern or student (includes bachelors, masters and PhD students) 2. Have reliable computer with internet connection and…
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Lessons Learned By a New Professional

So I have been a professional music therapist for almost 5 full months now, and I wanted to do a post about my experiences so far.  Here are some of the things I have learned.  If you are a new professional, please comment about your own experiences! 1.)  Speak Up Or, as John Mayer sang, "Say What You Need to Say".  As students and interns, we are mostly in learning mode, trying to soak up everything from our teachers and supervisors.  While it is always important to be listening and…
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