[Channing Shippen]

In clinic I think I gravitate most towards instrument playing and singing, as often the patients mobility can be limited due to IVS and treatments. Often I begin by incorporating the exploration of instruments through call and response and sound to develop melodies as the children grow older and eventually directed them toward independent creation of melodies. I think I have been approaching much of my music therapy through the lens of a coping skill development for the families and patients, and occasionally expect the inherent benefits of the ability of the music to affect the development of the patients naturally. Though since taking this course I am redirecting my focus towards the developmental aspects making them more of a priority especially within my younger patients.

[Channing Shippen]

Singing
Awareness – Focus and attention is able to be directed with sound
Trust – Imitates pitch fluctuations of caregivers
Independence – Begins to independently explore melodic creation and variation
Control – Replicates and mimics melodies relative to exampled pitches
Responsibility – Explores rhythmic patterns as related to melodic expectancies

Playing Instruments
Awareness – shows different responses to sedative vs. stimulative music
Trust – explores sound duration and instrument grasping
Independence – explores functional uses of instruments
Control – responds appropriately within musical starts and stops through imitation
Responsibility – exemplifies and imitates rhythm consistently within music

Movement
Awareness – uses the body to integrate rhythm
Trust – creates independent repetitive body movements in response to music (clap, stomp)
Independence – self-directed & decisive isolated body movements developed with intention
Control – imitates directed or exemplified musical body movements
Responsibility – establishes & follows body patterns within music

Listening
Awareness – recognizes dynamic changes
Trust – recognizes and responds to familiar melodies
Independence – internalizes & externalizes dynamic and intensity of music within the body
Control – independently establishes directed focus toward music
Responsibility – respects and comprehends the music engagement of others

[Channing Shippen]

Living and working in Boston MA, I am exposed to so many different cultures within our clinic! We attract patients from all over the world and have a large amount of Arabian, Chinese, Persian, Indian, Russian, Hispanic, and Haitian families in our clinic. This often provides me with some pretty unique music therapy opportunities! When working with children from different nationalities, I try not to isolate them by providing music with language, I often am using instrumental music to engage multiple patients of different nationalities and languages in music to help with community and bonding, while being hyper aware of the fact that many of the melodies or chord structures I’m using are fairly western. No patient has the expectation that we are able to know everyone’s language, but I have tried to take on the task of learning “Twinkle Little Star” in Arabic, Cantonese, and Spanish!
When I do use music with language, I try to focus on songs that utilize helpful phrases that will help the children communicate with their peers in clinic or with their providers. And of course, everyone no matter what nationality, knows “Let it Go” hahaha!

[Channing Shippen]

I was able to use “Hold on Tight” this passed week in a session with a patient and their parents. Bonding is always important, but I think often increasingly so in the medical field. Parents are often dealing with feelings of guilt or distress as related to their child’s diagnoses so it is a wonderfully unique opportunity that MT can provide bonding experiences within the clinic setting. It is always great to see the equally expressed joy of both the child and the parent during these songs and sessions, the sense of momentary relief it provides, as well as the lasting benefits.

[Channing Shippen]

I have ben working with an 20 month old girl in the in-patient facility I visit for approximately 8 months now. She has a congenital heart condition and has spent 16 months in and out of the hospital. Most of her learning and socialization has been done with the staff as her parents still have 3 children to care for at home. Her language and motor development is delayed due to her extended isolation. She is additionally relatively immobile due to her condition, having only the use of her hands and arms, and utilizing her voice only to cry when she needs something, so very limited in communication. Most recently she has begun entering the stage of awareness. Reacting towards the differences between simulative and sedative music with facial brightness and quiet focus respectively. She has begun reaching towards the instruments during the session and turning her head slightly to track the sounds. Its really wonderful to see her gigantically small progressions, and to see her explore some of the beginning levels of trust, grasping and exploring instruments!

[Channing Shippen]

Similarly to many above this post, I really appreciated the reminder of the importance of interaction with parents. At my clinic we practice family-centered care, and really embrace caring for the caregiver to promote the wellbeing of the child. Additionally, chemotherapy can often delay certain developments of younger children, so I think its important for me to be mindful of how the medication and treatment is effecting the childs participation in group/sessions.

[Channing Shippen]

This weeks lesson was a really great refresher in the fundamentals of development within music. So important! I am excited to use this weeks lesson to refresh and revitalize my approaches within clinic. Often in my clinic, the sessions are short, because they take place either between appointments or during procedures. I am hoping that I will be able to offer a “free-flowing” community group in clinic that parents can feel free to drop into or pull out of as needed for their appointments. Music therapy is often a respite for the families, and I think looking back to the idea of providing normal development activities in an abnormal situation is one way I can continue to offer support.

[Channing Shippen]

Hi Everyone!

Im hopping in a little late here! My name is Channing Shippen, I’m a music therapist located in Boston. I currently work at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, an out patient pediatric hematology/oncology clinic. I have been in the field for 5 years in a variety of settings, and actually worked for Meredith at Roman Music Therapy services as my first music therapy job several years ago! I am obtained both my graduate and undergraduate training from Berklee College of Music.

Recently I have seen the need for our parents and care givers to have non-medical but still developmentally progressive bonding experiences with their children, as well as establish rapport among parents to offer support and a greater sense of community, and knew that Raising Harmony was the perfect training to help me develop this program. I am really excited to get to know you all through the next ten weeks, and really look forward to growing with you!

Channing

[Author]

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