Can’t Sit Still from Together With The Beat

Waiting in line at the grocery store? Or in the doctor’s waiting room? These are the times when a parent’s need to focus and wait really clashes with a child’s need to move.

In a classroom or day care center, the needs of the group or the grownup sometimes has to take precedence over the energy of the wiggly child.

Here is a song to help you and your child make it through these tough (and wiggly) times. It might be one of the most fun songs I’ve written!

Can’t Sit Still

from Elizabeth Schwartz’s songbook, Together With The Beat

Join us for Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox – an online event!

Green, maroon, white, and gold rectangle with a headshot of Elizabeth Schwartz along with the words "Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox" and Online via Zoom, August 30, 2023 from 8-9 Eastern.

Together With The Beat

Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox

ONLINE via ZOOM

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

8-9pm Eastern

Join Elizabeth Schwartz, MA, LCAT, MT-BC for the online event Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox. The event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 8-9pm ET.

It’s Not Just About the Kids

I was totally thrown off during a short trip to a local store during the height of the pandemic. As I approached the counter to pay, the woman at the register looked me directly in the eye and cried out ‘Miss Beth!’ Since I was fully masked, I couldn’t imagine how someone could recognize me, especially someone who was not at all familiar to me. She quickly came around the counter and again called out, ‘Miss Beth.’

My confusion must have been clear as she continued to explain that she remembered me from our time together when I led music groups for young children at the local library. As a music therapist, I had the privilege to facilitate integrated parent-child groups that focused on building community and a place for all within developmental music making. This woman and her son, a young one with many developmental challenges, were part of that program.

She burst into singing one of ‘our’ songs, and then emotionally shared that the music group was one of the things that kept her going through those early years of her child’s growth.

This story might not be so unusual except for the next thing this mom shared. Her son had gone on to thrive with this early support and was now attending a local community college.

She had carried her gratitude for this supportive music group for a decade and a half!

The integrated, community-based music program was the foundation for Sprouting Melodies and for the Sprouting Melodies training. The training focuses not only on musical development, but on how developmental grownup/child music-making can create a community that supports children and grownups. It’s not just about the kids, but about those who care for them and the communities in which we all live.

If you are like me and want to use your music therapy education and training to make a long-lasting difference for all people, we invite you to join the next Sprouting Melodies training. The ten-week, completely on-line course is designed to give you the knowledge and experiences to make this kind of impact in your community. Our next training begins soon, and we welcome you to be a part.

Beth

Who’s More Stressed?

Who’s More Stressed? The screaming toddler being strapped into their car seat? Or the parent trying to strap the toddler in?

I say, both. At this time of year which is supposed to be so magical, it sure seems as if there is a lot of stress out there.

What can I, a music therapist, do about it? A lot!

In my decades of running early childhood music groups, I was always amazed at the transformation from the beginning to the end – usually stress to smiles. In developmentally focused music making, we can help parents to better understand their child and give them both a safe and supportive space just to ‘be.’

This is one reason we started the Sprouting Melodies Training. The course makes use of your expertise as a music therapist, and gives you the knowledge, experiences, and music you need to serve the children and families of your community.

What’s unique about the Sprouting Melodies Training? We focus on both the child and the parent as people. Me and Me…Meaningful expectations. Music for engagement.

The Sprouting Melodies® program offers music therapists a chance to use your education, skills and experience to bring the best possible early childhood music experience to families in your community.

raising-harmony-sprouting-melodies-training

23 CMTEs available for you to complete in your own space, in your own time.

Registration is now open for January 2023!

What exactly do you get in the course?

  • 10 week course where you take your early childhood skills and knowledge to the NEXT LEVEL
  • Interactive learning forums where you participate in discussions with the instructors and other music therapists
  • A copy of Elizabeth Schwartz’s book, Music, Therapy and Early Childhood: A Developmental Approach.

Ready to register for the Sprouting Melodies Training?

We can wait to see you inside the Sprouting Melodies training!

~ Elizabeth & Meredith

What More Can You Do?

When Meredith and I started Raising Harmony, we were determined to provide solid, effective information on music, young children, and families. After hearing from the 100s of music therapists who have taken the Sprouting Melodies Training, we’ve learned that the training provides so much more.  Through taking the training, people have:

  • Created new career opportunities in their communities

  • Grew their practice by partnering with neighborhood services

  • Used the Sprouting Melodies concepts and framework to expand and deepen practice for people of all ages

  • Learned how to talk to clients, families, administrators and others about the power of music

  • Discovered new and creative music experiences

What more can you do? Come join us for the next Sprouting Melodies Training and find out.

Click the link below to register for our next course beginning March 30, 2022.

https://raisingharmony.com/training/sprouting-melodies-training-info/

Hope to see you!

Elizabeth

Not ready for this round of training? Visit www.RaisingHarmony.com  to download 5 free songs composed specifically for music therapists to learn and use.

Getting a Two-Year-Old to Tune In?

Wow! What a year this has been. I have been thinking that 2021 is a little bit like the two-year-old’s I know – tantrums, tears, testing limits; but also times of incredible tenderness and tremendous growth.

Understanding development of little children is so helpful in understanding people in general. Want to know more? We’ve got a great course that gives you comprehensive information on development as well as music development. How to get that two-year-old to tune in? Covered. Getting parents, staff, and administrators to tune in? Covered.  All this covered in our 23 CMTE credit, totally virtual Sprouting Melodies training course. Here is the link to register for our January 2022 course.

https://raisingharmony.com/training/sprouting-melodies-training-info/

Bonus! As part of the course, Meredith Pizzi, Erika Svolos, and I will meet with you virtually to answer questions or to brainstorm ideas and solutions. This would be a great time to learn more about successful ways to run Virtual Early Childhood groups. Yes, it can be done. And yes, you can get a two-year-old (and their grownups) to tune in!

Hope you will join us. Register by January 1st and receive an early-bird discount. Contact me directly with any questions Elizabeth@RaisingHarmony.com.

Here’s to 2022!

Elizabeth Schwartz

No Gimmicks

It seems certain that 2020 and 2021 will go down in history as years of challenge on many levels. How has it been for you? And more importantly – how can we help? While the difficulties loom large, Meredith and I have been so moved by the resilience and flexibility of music therapists and of you as part of the Raising Harmony community. We are determined to work harder than ever to provide support, resources, and maybe motivation for you. That is what community is all about.
Our most recent Sprouting Melodies Training really highlighted the hope that music therapists bring to their work. When we met through Zoom last week, the mood was one of excitement for the possibilities of the future. Can you use that kind of atmosphere right now? Below is a list of opportunities we have scheduled for this fall and into next year, and we would love to have you join us.
On a personal note, I am THRILLED to share that the year of COVID motivated me to finally finish my second book of songs. ‘Together with the Beat: Songs for Me, and You, and Us’ will be available in a few weeks! We are hoping to have a celebratory launch, so look for more information coming soon. If you have used ‘You and Me Makes…We: A Growing Together Songbook’ you are going to love this new book.
Whether its new music, coaching, fresh ideas, support or motivation – how can we help you?

Beth


Additional Fall Opportunities

Fall Sprouting Melodies Training
We’ve all seen it. Images of an expecting mother with headphones over her belly, playing classical music through the speakers to soothe and calm her baby. Now more than ever, parents are looking for ways to support their children through their developmental journey. Join us for the fall session of the Sprouting Melodies Training while we explore songs, developmental stages and music interventions for early childhood. This training will begin on September 8th and end on November 17th. The registration link can be found here. We hope to see you!

Music Therapy Job Opportunities
Many of you are familiar with Sprouting Melodies & Raising Harmony, but you may not be familiar with Raising Harmony’s sister company, Roman Music Therapy Services. Raising Harmony’s Co-Founder and Roman Music Therapy Services Executive Director, Meredith Pizzi, MPA, MT-BC invites you to explore the potential for your next career opportunity with Roman Music Therapy Services. We are hiring qualified, people-driven professionals to join a small, dynamic team that provides music therapy to communities across eastern Massachusetts. Open positions include Board Certified Music Therapists as well as a Customer Service Coordinator. Click here for the job postings, or reach out to jobs@romanmusictherapy.com with any questions.


Graduate Education Opportunity

Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn from an experienced Music Therapy Business Owner? Meredith Pizzi, Raising Harmony’s Co-Founder, will be teaching Music Therapy Business Development at Alverno College this fall. Enrollment is open until the end of August. Classes begin this week, so reach out today! See the flyer for more information or click here to register now.

It’s Not a Secret

Have you ever wondered how music begins? How does a tiny infant learn music that helps them grow into a Grammy Award winner, or a basement band fan, or a music therapist? It’s not a secret. We know how music develops and how it becomes woven into a person’s identity. But we also know that many college programs don’t spend much time on music development. It’s only when you get out in the field that you realize that it would be something good to know.

In our Sprouting Melodies Training course, we lay it all out for you in a clear and practical framework. Each small music detail leads into the music making and then leads into a persuasive understanding of music in overall development. Right from the very start. In every session we give you new songs, music, and strategies that can be used in your work the very next day.

It’s not a secret. We’ve had well over 200 music therapists take the training, and we hear all the time how helpful the information is, no matter where you work.

Our Spring 2021 course begins on March 31. Visit our web page at https://raisingharmony.com/training/sprouting-melodies-training-info/.

It’s not a secret that this is really great training. Come and join us.

Beth and Meredith

Connect. Collaborate. Stay Current.

Now more than ever, we need meaningful opportunities to be connected to others.

We search for ways to collaborate in creating innovative, creative programs.

And we seek flexible solutions to the challenges of staying current in a fast changing health-care environment.

Meredith, Erica, and I would like to welcome you to just such an environment through the Sprouting Melodies Training. Our newly updated and refreshed course begins Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The course provides you with:

 

  • Completely on-line training – done in your own space, in your own time
  • 23 continuing education credits
  • A vibrant interactive community of music therapists who gather and share in the course on-line forum
  • New ways of thinking about music therapy and about using your skills as a music therapist
  • Tons of new songs and intervention ideas
  • A comprehensive guide to musical development and early childhood development
  • Realistic and useful strategies for planning and practice

Register here

https://raisingharmony.com/training/sprouting-melodies-training-info/

Come join us! Beth

What’s the Deal with Dorian?

Well, I’ve done it again! There is something about the Dorian mode during the winter season that really draws me in. And what I’ve noticed again and again is that it also draws young children into the music in a way that is unique.

I think that it is the ambiguity which the Dorian mode creates that fits so well with my style of music therapy. I want children to explore and express and examine. I don’t always want to box children in to a certain harmonic structure that will lead them to a foregone conclusion. The Dorian starts out with the flatted third that tricks the ear into thinking it has a specific path. But then, along comes the raised sixth. It surprises me every time. It no longer feels minor, but it doesn’t feel major either. That is another reason that Dorian is perfect for young children as they explore all types of pitched and melodic sounds. Anything they contribute musically seems to have a place in Dorian.

I also like to add the Dorian mix into the pot during the holidays. By the time December is nearing its end, many of us are ready for a break. We sometimes get stuck in the stress of season and keep our jingle bells on constant loop. Dorian digs me out.

Maybe this song in Dorian will help you find a little bit of novelty and newness in these last few days before the New Year. Give it a try this week. “Look and See” invites you and your children to take a break from the normal and find some creative play time. Let me know if you, like me, find a big deal in Dorian.

Enjoy the Music!
Beth

Look and See!
E. K. Schwartz 2017

1, 2, 3. Look and see!
1, 2, 3. Look at me.
1, 2, 3. Look and see!
We can play together. We can play together.

Come and play with me.
Come and play with me.
Come with me and you’ll see, we can play together.

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