[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

I have always wanted to work with this age group but have never had the opportunity.  Then, I had my own little guy who is now almost a year old.  Watching his development and getting to know him has really opened my eyes to how babies respond to music in so many different ways.  Listening to his vocal range and different sounds develop and how he has used them to “communicate” and sing is incredible. How he responds differently to various timbres I may use and also the timbres of different people has been so interesting.   So many of the concepts we have talked about are right there for me and now I can identify and have some words to describe them.  I can imagine working in a setting with multiple babies and parents would be great…I know I am constantly amazed by the new and little things Asher does.  It would be so nice to see parents react to new things their babies are doing both in class and at home.  I absolutely love that this stage is so much about connection, warmth, gentleness and loving your baby…I can’t wait to put it into action!

[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

Connective, Warm, Calm, Gentle and rich in a tone that is very loving

[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

Great responses so far…I completely agree that as music therapists we do have the ability to create and adjust the music based on what is needed by the group and individuals within the group.  Our flexibility is a huge asset, since we often work with so many people with varied abilities we can understand how to support the individual both musically and non-musically.  I think we also bring an understanding that the process is what’s important, not the product.  Encouraging participation of the parents to sing no matter how they sound as well as helping them understand it’s not about how beautiful your voice is but more about the engagement and the energy that ‘s brought to the music that will benefit their child is what’s important.  Sure, their children might be able to sing many songs but the focus is on what  happens when the songs are learned, sung, moved to, listened to….not how perfectly they can match the pitch.  Music therapists also bring the understanding that within each activity there are soooo many aspects of development that are being addressed.  Though there may be an overall goal in a particular activity there are so many little things that are being supported and stimulated as well…and the beauty of it is that it’s so much fun!

[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

This month of May is a big one in Holland MI.  There is a rich Hispanic heritage as well as a large dutch community.  With Cinco de Mayo and Tulip Time being celebrated, there was a lot of music happening around here.  One thing I reflected upon during Tulip Time, when many Dutch dancers take to the streets and perform the dance in their wooden shoes, is that the music, however old and stale, steeped in tradition, is one that brings so many people together and binds not only the dancers but the spectators.  I thought I would like a change but, how could they ever change it???? I really don’t think they can.  No matter how much people may want to hear some more ‘modernized’ music, it would change the feeling of that part of the festival altogether.  There is a reason why it’s been played for many many years and will be for many years to come.  It’s important to retain that tradition and without that music the festival wouldn’t be the same, not even close.  And when it comes down to it, what amazes me is that it’s just sound!  Temporary sound, but it has so much power, even if it may not be my preference.  It has roots and meaning.

[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

I think the most valuable takeaway from this week is that we as music therapists who are in this field of early childhood have a lot of knowledge about children that can help the parents understand their own children.  As a new parent, I really do appreciate when people I respect share something that can give me a new perspective on my child, whether that be something I need to watch out for or just reassurance that what I’m doing is okay as a parent and that my child is developing “normally”.  Being confident that sharing what we know without thinking we know it all is important.

Also, something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is FUN and PLAY!  I’m trying to bring this more into my practice as well as my life and I like it!! Often I do so many structured activities that have become somewhat routine.  I’ve been thinking about how to be lighter with them and just enjoy them…isn’t that what a large part of music is all about?

[Jennifer Schofield Gietzen]

Hello Everyone!

So nice to be part of this community!  My name is Jenn Gietzen and I live in Holland, MI.

I am a board certified music therapist and have been for the past 11 years.  I have been a musician most of my life and when I started
college at Michigan State University I had no idea that Music Therapy was an actual profession.  I did know that I would love to use my skills for helping people but had no idea
how to do that.  I discovered in my first year of college that music therapy existed and I was hooked!
  After an amazing education I did my internship at the Center for Discovery in New York.  I have always been inspired by
Clive Robbins and improvisational music therapy and absolutely fell in love with that model.  I came back to Holland in 2002 to dive into the workforce…
only to realize there was no work for me…no jobs whatsoever.  So bit by bit I started to get my foot into some schools in the area and have created all of the
contracts I currently have.  I now work in 3 different schools just about full time, with kids with all kinds of abilities from the ages of 2-26.  Some of them are typical
preschoolers…an age group I absolutely love working with.  If i had a dream job it would be working with families and their children from pre-birth through 5 or 6.
I truly believe it is such a critical time for learning and opening the mind and heart to the inner and outer world and I am passionate about music being such a
great tool for this.  Creating a love of music and play and other people and self and life is what i value.

Because I work in the schools I have the summers off.  I would like to continue providing services to the community via classes for young ones for 6 or so weeks to bridge the gap
as well as provide an opportunity to experience the joy of music over the summer…whether it be to supplement school music or open up the musical world for little ones
for the first time.  I also feel like any chance I have to enhance my knowledge in this area and add to what I already know  is one worth taking .  I am passionate about early childhood
and am even more so now that I have a little one of my own who is 10 months old.  Understanding how he perceives music and learning more about how I can add more musical spice
to his life the better!
I am really looking forward to these next 10 weeks with everyone and chiming in on some great discussions.  I’m excited to hear some new music and be inspired to create more
on my own as well.  I definitely appreciate the fact that Meredith and Beth respect that we all have our own set of skills musically and otherwise that will be enhanced and
not diminished by a “prescribed” program.
Thank you so much for this opportunity…I am looking forward to it!
Jenn

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