Music Therapy hitting right notes for patients ~ CBS News

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit." ~ Emmanuel Teney

Never Forget

Back To School

It's that time of year again and as we head back to school, I notice the excitement in the kids all around me. It doesn't matter whether they say they don't want school to start or not, I think secretly most of them are ready for school. Afterall, where else can they find so many different challenges and joys all under one roof?!?!

At my daughter's middle school, the girls are starting cheerleading practice and volleyball tryouts. The band, orchestra, choir, Mathletes and many other groups and clubs are gathering to kick off their year. The boys are already practicing football to get ready for the big game! The other night we were standing in the backyard and could hear the high school marching band practicing. They've already had their first game of the season! There are not many feelings like the thrill and excitement of a football game, whether you're a fan or not. If you're really paying attention, you can't help but feel the energy in a football stadium!

As we head back to school, I often wonder if we can add anymore to our schedules but somehow, someway we make time to do the things that we want to do. Everytime I hear someone say that I just don't have time for that, I think to myself that you will make the time if you really want to. My advice to you is to make the time for the things that are really important. Spend time reading with your children. Have a family game night. Watch a family movie together. If you have teenagers, sit with them at the computer and find out what they like about facebook or whatever it is that they are into. Do it before it's too late! Develop a relationship with your children that will get you through the rough times.

Our children are with us for a relatively short amount of time. By the time they become teenagers, even though they are still living at home, they are starting to define who they are as an individual. This is an important and necessary process on their journey to becoming an adult but they are already pulling away from us. Cherish the time when they are little and take advantage of their unconditional devotion to you. It goes by in a blink of the eye!

Now that the school year has kicked off, this Friday night when you are trying to think of something that you can do with your family - go check out the local high school football game. Sports have long been a tradition in our country and the excitement gleened from a football game is thrilling. The comraderie and bonding that is done during sporting events is priceless!

Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?!

Mrs. McIntosh's Kindergarten Class of 2010-11

This video was created by a parent from my youngest daughter's Kindergarten class. It's so hard to believe that Kindergarten is over!

The Importance of Music

At one time in my life, music was the most important thing I had going. It's still pretty important to me, but since I have children now I don't get to spend as much time practicing as I would like. However, I have always and will continue to share my love of music with my daughters.

I spent 13 years playing trombone in the band - 1st at Bayou Vista Elementary School, then Berwick Jr and Sr Highs, then Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and finally Louisiana State. While at LSU pursuing a degree in Music Education, I met and eventually married my best friend, who was also a music student. Our years as part of "The Golden Band from Tigerland" were some of our best only to be trumped by the addition to our family of our two daughters.

My oldest daughter is now playing tuba in her middle school band. My mother and brother both also played the trombone. My mother and grandmother both played the violin and my mom also played the piano. My dad was a singer. Music is in our genes and very much a part of our lives. Living without music would be, for us, like living without food and water. It's simply inconceivable.

Many studies have shown how beneficial music is to people with disabilities of all kind. Music therapy has become a very important form of therapeutical treatment and has helped many people. Test scores increase based on a student's involvement in music. For many kids, music groups give them a place to "fit in." Whatever we do, we cannot let music education be taken away from our children. It's just as important as academics and physical activity.

Please, Support Music Education!

Get Involved! (Sound of Perfection) from The Sound of Perfection on Vimeo.

With a little more than a week until our Independence Day, this video is very appropriate!