Song Spotlight: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Song Spotlight | Soundscapingsource.com

Mood: Silly Themes: Swimming, Summer, Trips to the Beach, Wardrobe Selection Tempo: Walking speed Genre/style: 1960s Novelty song Ahhh, summertime. For many people, the hot days of July go hand in hand with trips to the beach (or, here in Kansas City, the swimming pool). This is certainly true for many of my younger music therapy clients. Perhaps…

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Song Spotlight: “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine”

That Silver Haired Daddy o Mine - Song Spotlight | SoundscapingSource.com

Mood: Wistful, Thoughtful Themes: Parenting, Mistakes, Forgiveness/Atonement Tempo: Moderate Genre/style: Country With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share my favorite song for this holiday. “That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine” was a song I learned in my first year as a music therapist on the special request of a client in hospice care. It…

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Song Spotlight: “Que Sera Sera”

Que Sera Sera - Song Spotlight | SoundscapingSource.com

Mood: Carefree Themes: Parenting, Advice, Anticipating the Future Tempo: Easy waltz Genre/style: 1950s popular Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, so I wanted to share with you one of my favorite songs for encouraging discussion about mothers and motherly advice: “Que Sera, Sera.” Made famous by the inimitable Doris Day (see her version on YouTube…

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Integrating Music into Grief Rituals

Integrating Music into Grief Rituals | SoundscapingSource.com

Even though formal music therapy has become an important part of hospice care only in the last couple of decades, music has been an important part of celebrating life for centuries. At the music therapy conference I attended earlier this month, music therapist Dr. Natalie Wlodarczyk from Drury University spoke about the role of ritual…

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Song Spotlight: “That Tumbledown Shack in Athlone”

The Glory of Love - Song Spotlight | SoundscapingSource.com

Every so often, I get to work with a client in music therapy who really challenges me to learn new music. I can credit specific individuals with getting me to beef up my repertoire in western songs, Filipino and Russian folk songs, songs in Yiddish, and songs performed by Bing Crosby and Patsy Cline, among…

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The Unsung Heroes in Long-Term Care

As I write this, I can see the snow pouring from the sky just outside my cozy living room window. Here in Kansas City, we are under a blizzard warning, and the vast majority of schools, churches, and government offices are closed for the day. I made the decision to stay home, on the advice…

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Song spotlight: “Button Up Your Overcoat”

Button up your overcoat - Song Spotlight | SoundscapingSource.com

The temperatures are below freezing here in the Kansas City area, and there is snow and ice on the ground. Thus, our theme song for the week: “Button Up Your Overcoat.” The song starts out with these lyrics: Button up your overcoat when the wind is free Take good care of yourself – you belong…

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