Under the direction of music therapist Brittany Taylor-Stewart, Community-Based Instruction (CBI) Students at Chattahoochee High School presented all sorts of musical talents at their annual talent show. On Monday May 21st, students in Hooch Idol danced, sang, and did sign language for the audience. A few students emceed the program by announcing all the acts and telling jokes throughout. Every single song was impeccably practiced and the students did amazing. We are already looking forward to next year's show!
Under the direction of Emily Minkow, Riverwood International Charter School hosted their 1st annual Community-Based Instruction (CBI) music therapy talent show on Wednesday May 16th. All of the students participated through self-selected acts such as singing, dancing, telling jokes, making “fireworks” through switch manipulation, using American Sign Language (ASL) to sing, and presenting songs made through music technology. What set this show apart from others was the audience participation! The students invited the audience to dance and sing with them from their seats, and even taught them body percussion that matched the song being sung. Following the performance, there was a PTA-sponsored breakfast reception and art exhibit, featuring student works made with their Adaptive Art teacher, Mrs. Ashley Greer Groninger. Way to go, Raiders!
Under the direction of music therapist Marsha Lane, the students at Langston Hughes High School participated in a Talent Showcase. The students sang, danced, played instruments and did sign language to music. Kudos to the students for a great 1st year showcase! You can see a short snippet of what the showcase down below. Another great performance in the books! Centennial High’s Community-Based Instruction (CBI) music therapy students had their annual talent show, Centennial’s Got Talent, on Monday May 7th. Under the direction of music therapist, Emily Minkow, the students selected their acts and made a huge impact on stage! They sang solos and duets, played instruments, spoke about the history of famous musical artists, and danced. Each audience member was given a glow bracelet to light up the room as they cheered and waved their arms to the music. There was also PTA-sponsored reception for the students as well as their families and friends to celebrate the momentous occasion. Congratulations Knights on a job well-done!
n Monday May 14th, Emily Minkow, the music therapist at Centennial High School, was invited to present to their Healthcare Science classes about “A Career in Music Therapy.” Throughout her presentation, she explained all of the who, what, where, when, and why’s about music therapy, explained how music therapy works specifically in Fulton County, and provided various demonstrations of music therapy interventions. Emily hopes she was able to provide some knowledge about the unique career that combines both music and healthcare to the 100 students who attended. Additionally, she hopes to have inspired the students to be inquisitive and search for a career that highlights their strengths, and gives them as much happiness and fulfillment as this job gives her.
On Tuesday, May 15th, the music therapy students at Haynes Bridge Middle School participated in their annual talent show, Haynes Bridge Idol. Students danced, sang, played instruments and some even showcased music and video projects that they have been working on for a few months. It was an incredible show and the students really worked hard this year under direction from music therapist, Brittany Taylor-Stewart.
Last Wednesday May 9th, the annual STEAM day was held at Palmetto Elementary. On this day different grade levels spent the time traveling between different presentations about technology, science and the arts. Roy Joyner had the opportunity to teach Kindergarteners at Palmetto Elementary about Music Therapy. Roy presented lots of informative, yet fun activities. The students learned about how their bodies moved in space, Body Awareness, and also used music to learn about and then sequence steps in the water cycle.
Roy says, "I appreciate our grade level chair at Palmetto and Fulton County Teacher of the Year Kiana Willis Pickney for this awesome opportunity. Looking forward to next year." North Fulton County music therapists participated in part two of the Track and Field events for the Special Olympics on Friday May 11th. The music therapists were given the country assignment of America again and donned their red, white, and blue to celebrate! Lots of music and good memories were made including a video down below. This commercial was created for our yearly talent show at Haynes Bridge Middle School. TJ is a student in the North Metro Program at Haynes Bridge, working to control his behaviors and exit the program. TJ designed and created this entire commercial idea himself in collaboration with music therapist, Brittany Taylor-Stewart. Throughout this whole process, TJ had behavior goals of improved impulse control, staying on-task for the duration of the class and collaboration with peers without negative commenting. TJ met all goals with flying colors, showing how impactful music therapy and technology can be on everyday life.
South Fulton County music therapists participated in part one of the Track and Field events for the Special Olympics on Thursday May 3rd. The music therapists were given the country assignment of America and donned their red, white, and blue to celebrate! Lots of music and good memories were made, including spending time with Fulton County superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose (picture down below). You can also watch a few video highlights from the day below. The North Fulton County Special Olympics Track and Field event is scheduled for Friday May 11th. Students and staff at Holcomb Bridge Middle School celebrated their Spring Carnival today with the help of students from the HBMS Junior Beta Club. Students took part in many fun games and activities including Cake Walk, Basketball Toss, Face Painting, Concessions, and much more including a music station with our own Kirby Carruth! Special thanks to all the teachers who helped make this event such a great success.
The follow was sent to us from our coordinator for Performing Arts in Fulton County, Dr. David W. Vandewalker:
Fulton County Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the 19th consecutive year FCS has received this distinction. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the FCS Performing Arts department answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Music is an essential part of life, and we couldn’t be more proud of the students, parents and teachers in our community who have worked so hard to make sure that in our students, we’re making a sound investment. We are extremely honored to be in this great group of educators. Bravo Fulton County! On Friday April 27th, the music therapists met at the Teaching Museum South for an extended day of learning with occupational therapist Dr. Gayle Lindsey from Liberty Point Elementary School. In collaboration with Roy Joyner, a great presentation was given about understanding the sensory needs of our students better throughout our music therapy classes.
Many topics were addressed, but one of the most interesting tools discussed was the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) and how occupational therapists are using these in Fulton County School to best serve our students with sensory needs. Our music therapist Natalie Generally also presented at the Southeastern Regional conference on session planning. She presented about effective session planning and how to ease the planning process which can be daunting at times. Natalie explored planning by domain areas, types of activities, session flow and some other topics in creating, grouping and implementing activities within a session. Bravo, Natalie!
Every year during the Southeastern Region's Music Therapy conference, an individual is recognized for their service to the profession. This year our own Rachel Coon-Arnott received the SER-AMTA Service Award. We wanted to congratulate her for this awesome achievement. Congrats, Rachel!
Two of our own music therapists - Harry Lester and Roy Joyner - presented at the Southeastern Region's Music Therapy conference. Roy and Harry presented for college students in training to be music therapists. Their presentation included many practical skills that students can use when playing guitar, as well as discussions about the importance of using live music when working with clients. Bravo for an awesome presentation!
You can find a link to their presentation here. Photo Credit: Joe Bailey On Wednesday, March 21, 2018 people around the globe celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. Celebrated since 2012, WDSD encourages our friends all over the world to choose their own activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down Syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. The date for WDSD, being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Enjoy this video made by a group of mothers in the United Kingdom to celebrate their children with Down syndrome. Regarding the video they said, “The idea is, we are just normal mums, we love our kids, they love us, and they are just like other four-year-olds, we wouldn’t change them.”
You can check out more of the story here. On Saturday March 24th, the music therapists of Fulton County Schools all travelled to the house of therapist Missy Worden to celebrate our amazing interns for this school year. Our interns for 2017-2018 have only five more days remaining with us. They have been dedicated, hard working college students that are ready to enter the professional world. We wish them all the best of luck in their future endeavors.
The students of Alpharetta Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children's Week 2018 with a special performance of "A Day at the Movies," with a red- carpet affair- full of songs from Trolls, Annie, Cars, and more! We even had a special performance of the Roswell High School drum line for our grand finale of This is Me from The Greatest Showman! Not only were the students great performers, but they were using all the wonderful skills they've been learning in music therapy, from music therapist Kirby Carruth, this year including following multi-step directions, using assistive communication devices and switches, and playing instruments according to visual cues. Congratulations to all of the students and staff of AES for a job well-done and another year of excellence!
Lake Windward celebrated their amazing and exceptional children with their friend Wally Gator as they took a trip “Through the Decades” for their Exceptional Children’s Week performance. Under the direction of their music therapist, Rachel Coon-Arnott the students danced, played instruments and sang along to some of their favorite songs from the past 100 years. They concluded the performance with their annual finale of doing sign language to World’s Greatest. The students loved performing for their families and peers and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Interns Reece and Madison used fun green hats to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by working on emotion recognition at Mountain Park Elementary School.
Under the direction of music therapist Emily Minkow, New Prospect Elementary put an amazing Exceptional Children’s Week performance of “Dancing With Our Stars” on Tuesday, March 6th. The variety show included over 70 students involved in performing different dance styles, peer mentoring on stage, reading the script and helping to present the Yes I Can awards. From country line dancing, to Bollywood and disco, all of our stars shined brightly onstage for a large audience of family and peers.
For Exceptional Children's Week, students from Liberty Point Elementary School took an audience of family and friends on a trip around the world. This was done to highlight how each culture uses music to express themselves. Each class represented a different country with a musical performance. Under the direction of music therapist Roy Joyner, there were dances, instrumental arrangements, and even numbers where students sang a French Folksong. The performance was concluded with all the classes performing sign language to Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World”.
Under the direction of music therapist Roy Joyner, the students at Renaissance ES participated in an Exceptional Children's Week award ceremony, which concluded with sign language performance of the “World’s Greatest” by R. Kelly.
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