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Latest news, experiences and thoughts about
​Music Therapy from Shari

​First week back at work. Go gently.

1/11/2019

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For most if not all of us it’s hard heading back to work after a holiday break. For me, I returned this year knowing that one of my clients may have passed away. I knew that after 3 weeks the condition of a likely few may have not improved or deteriorated further. What I hadn’t anticipated was just how many, and just how much, and the unexpected. And how it would affect me, first week back. And so, I’ve come away knowing that I need to do something more than speaking with colleagues and with families. I also returned to work knowing that I would soon be finishing with many of my clients and colleagues due to a piece of work ending, and so I face these next few months not yet with the prospect of a fresh new year, but first with many farewells, and many endings.

Within many places I work when we sing the classic “Now is the Hour” I often make the comment, “It holds different things for different people, doesn’t it”? It’s my way of acknowledging the loss the song might hold, the memories of difficult times during war and long after, the people, the experiences, the emotions – both negative and positive. Almost every time this comment is responded to with a murmur, a few nodding heads, a look of significance that seems to say, thank you for acknowledging where I’m at.

Today I share with you this recording of “Now is the Hour” as my way of saying goodbye to those I wasn’t able to in person. I see it as a song of farewell, of acceptance, and of the idea and hope that we’ll be remembered and held in the minds of those we leave behind, whether it’s through a change of circumstances or end of life, whatever your beliefs.

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On the inside

6/19/2018

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On the inside I am jumping up and down shrieking with excitement because my client is watching me. Intently.

On the outside my unwavering voice continues singing, my fingers steady on the guitar, my eyes have met and held their interested gaze, their warm smile has re-ignited mine. My music therapist hat is on, and things evolve.
Side bar: Who do you imagine as the client? If you read on, comment below or let me know.
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“The piano ain’t got no wrong notes.” – Thelonious Monk

3/6/2018

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Discovering, opening and unleashing a whole new set of sound sets from Pandora's box tonight is perhaps the biggest, quickest, most revolutionary leap I have taken in my musical growth as a music therapist. Modes! But of course! And oh the things I'll be able to do with them with the people I'm working with!

​Sitting at my grandmother and grandfathers' Danneman piano tonight I let my fingers lead, allowing whatever I felt to flow through without thinking. It's like time out for me. Sometimes I need time out from thinking, sometimes I need time out to think, sometimes it's like having company, most of the time I'm seeking me-music.
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A bit of Vera, Matilda and Howard.

1/17/2018

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They say you learn something new every day. And my clients are like fountains, pearls and springs when music is involved. Here are a few random tidbits - knowledge, wisdom and truths - I've learned along the way which you might be interested in.
​Vera Lynn was and perhaps still is known as 'the pin up girl of the forces' - air force, navy, army... And she toured New Zealand! How amazing to think that in our school days we sang and played in the Auckland Town Hall, which holds the history of such greats as Vera Lynn. Better yet, how amazing would it have been to have heard her sing live! White Cliffs of Dover, We'll Meet Again, Lili Marlene...my favourite of the many more I sing with people most weeks is When I Grow too Old to Dream. I have it on good authority that her angelic voice is just as good live as it is on her recordings.

​And she turned 100 years of age last year!

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Places to go, People to see

1/12/2018

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I quietly loaded my instruments and gear into the delightfully large boot of my car early on Tuesday this week. Brushing out the sand from my relaxing, much needed summer break, appreciating again the wonderfully accommodating size of my station wagon's boot, I began to think about my year ahead. As I did so, I began to smile, celebrating how calm I felt in the face of my forthcoming schedule and commitments. There would be fewer places to go this year,  a more focused case-list of people to see, and a glorious amount of therapeutic music to be made.

With looking forward comes reflecting back, and I began to think about my tiny red Peugeot hatchback I had when I first began my Masters and as I started out as a registered music therapist. Eager, ready to go, darting here and there going everywhere it could whenever it could. I started 2012 as a Master of Music Therapy Graduand - completed the Masters, awaiting my marks, but not yet graduated - with two contracts over two half days, and by the end of the year I had six contracts and a more than full week of work. (Putting it like that might make it sound easy, I can assure you hard work and dedication built that amount of contract work so quickly)....


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    Shari Storie

    NZ Registered Music Therapist, co-creator, songbird, collaborator, advocate, lover-of-music. 

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  • Home
  • What is Music Therapy
  • Why you might benefit
    • Children
    • Young People
    • Adults
    • Older adults
  • Services, Ask Shari
  • About Shari
  • Shari's Publications and Presentations
  • News/Blog
  • Links
    • Music Therapy With Shari on Facebook
    • Client's experience of Music Therapy With Shari
    • CeleBRation Choir on One News
    • Music Therapy New Zealand
    • Music Therapy New Zealand on Facebook
    • Master of Music Therapy Training