Archive | June, 2011

Do You Think I Can Break On Through?

By on June 29, 2011 in Kat's Musings

…to the other side ♪♫ Break on through to the other side~

Here I am this morning, drinking a little latte from Peet’s Coffee (my favorite), realizing how much I miss blogging. I have been quite busy, even though the blog doesn’t show it.

Let’s just say, I have a lot of items in the incubator right now. Here’s a sneak preview:

Coffee cup

1. Several Rhythm Renegades interviews in queue to edit and publish.

2. Two boomwhacker videos in development.

3. Graduation from an 8-week online course in business.

4. A new product I’m crafting for launch in the next two months. And this is really a monster project! The layers and layers and layers of required preparations are just unreal.

I just returned from Camp Kesem with a voice that needs some rest. How could I stop myself from screaming out those camp songs after each meal? Camp went GREAT! There was one group of 12-13 year olds who really rocked it OUT with the boomwhackers playing Firework.

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Group Percussion for Kids: BRAINSTORM

By on June 14, 2011 in Drumming, Kids

A couple months ago, I had the pleasure of brainstorming ideas for a special culture & arts event for a school with 450 elementary school kids. My brainstorming companion was Leslie Gereghty of the Recreational Music Center in San Diego. The camp would be a week long, and we would have been able to split the kids up into lots of smaller groups.

Percussion for kids

With Camp Kesem coming up for me this weekend, I figured it would be a great time to throw down some ideas and get yours too! (I need some more ideas!!!) There are more like 60 kids at Camp Kesem, but it’s still fun to imagine camp with 450 kids…

Here’s what we came up with:

1. Take time to prepare beforehand. Meet with the counselors and aides for rhythm training a few days before the camp. This way, the counselors, facilitators, and aides are all on the same page. Teach the counselors rhythm sections of songs. Then when you’re altogether with the kids, the counselors can teach their smaller groups each separate rhythm. On the last day of camp we’ll combine everyone. *This is how I pull off all the boomwhacker songs!

2. Split the groups. One idea we had was to separate the groups so that the younger kids experience “percussion instrument petting zoos” while the older half rehearses assorted boomwhacker, drumming, and body percussion ensembles during the week. At the end of the week, the older kids perform for the younger kids, empowering the older kids and inspiring the younger kids. *Just one of several options in splitting a larger group with varied ages. Have more suggestions? Love to hear them!

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VIDEO INTERVIEW: Megan and Kim of Mundana Music Therapy

By on June 7, 2011 in Rhythm Renegades

This week’s Rhythm Renegades are the dynamic duo behind Mundana Music Therapy: Megan Resig and Kim Thompson, board-certified music therapists!

They talk about all the people with whom they work, their typical day, how collaboration works for them, and their SPECIAL NEWS! If you want to be energized for your day, you gotta watch this video~ I love these gals! Check out their sweet song (and my ridiculous dancing) at 11:50 ————>

 

Going for a commute? Download the audio and take it on the road!

How did I DO this? First, I Skyped Megan and Kim in fullscreen, then I recorded the screen via ScreenFlow, then I uploaded the video to my YouTube account. Badda bing, badda bang. There you have it ~ a video interview online. Give it a try! Get Screenflow now.

If you like this post, then you’ll love these:
9 Tips for Drum Circles with Kids with Special Needs.
VIDEO: You Are Special (song).
Say It So You Can Play It.

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