Cathy is a board certified music therapist with experience in public schools in Ohio and Texas since 1974. She welcomes your comments or questions about situations you encounter in music class. Contact Cathy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her resources http://FAQautism.com and http://MusicWorksPublications.com

Avoiding the error of purchasing and using an inadequate amplifier based on misleading wattage claims

At some point in the past, certain power amplifier manufacturers got hip to the fact that the only specification most power amp buyers pay attention to is wattage.

Sadly, they decided that misleading specs were OK as long as it created better sales. Hmm....

For purposes of our discussion, let’s consider two amplifiers. Amplifier A is rated at 1,000 watts (per side), into a 2-ohm load, with .1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), measured at 1 kHz, while Amplifier B is rated at 1,000 watts (per side), into a 4-ohm load, with .03 percent THD, measured full range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

West Music Ottumwa – March 20, 2010
Call (800) 248-7001 for information/registration
West Music Quad Cities – April 3, 2010
Call (888) 788-6683 for information/registration

Each session has two hours. The first hour is free & open to the public. During this hour Dana will focus on his Guitar System method.  The second hour is a seminar/Master Class, and Dana will work with each student on his/her music.  The cost is $ 30, and each participant will receive a free book. 

What a performance! Tyler Chrusciel showed off his amazing guitar skills at Jameson’s on February 10th.

As a student of Jeff Burak’s, Tyler has evolved as a player over the years learning many different facets of guitar playing. Over last summer, Tyler started bringing in music he wanted to learn, mostly songs he had seen performed on You Tube. Most of the songs are common rock/pop songs but played in fingerstyle complemented with tapping of the guitar body.

I'm not sure when it was that the light bulb went off and I noticed the Beatles were back. No, not the creepy crawly kind, I'm talking about the British super band Paul, John, George, and Ringo!

Sure we have all see the black and white news reports of teens in their early 60's hairdo screaming while the band gamely tries to be heard playing a set of songs in their trademark suits. Later, we see peace-loving, long-haired versions of this band with their followers a little older and many following the more flowing styles of the late 60's and early 70's.

As time passes, the Beatles disband, we lose John, followers of the band grown up, and their music starts to be referred to as 'classic'. In many ways, these songs become 'iconic'. People disagree as to which time period of Beatles music was the best, and women, who had been in love with the band as teens, still sigh at the sight of Paul McCartney. As single artists, the remaining band members play to sold-out crowds of now more sedate followers and with new sound systems--minus the screaming teens. Every note of the concert is heard clear back to the last row.

Recently, I took over a few weekly music therapy groups with teenagers and at a co-workers suggestion, I decided to have an 8 week unit of musical games to coincide with the Winter Olympics this year. Many of the teens were intrigued by the idea of musical games and wondered what exactly that might entail.

First, they were divided into two teams and they had to come up with their own team names. They were then told that they would be able to earn points by working in their teams while playing the games and that there would be a “closing awards ceremony” at the end unit which they seemed to be excited about. However, once I told them that they would also have to write their own individual goals and team goals to earn additional points, some of the teens became a bit skeptical.

WATERLOO - When music therapist Lucy Schipper walked into Mike Staebell's room at Rosewood Estate last week, the 90-year-old was ready to go.

In one hand he held a silver harmonica. The other clutched a CD of classic songs the Waterloo man had recorded a decade earlier. "Time to start?," he asked, launching into a rendition of "Polly Wolly Doodle," a tune made popular by Shirley Temple in the 1935 film "The Littlest Rebel."

From preparing solos for high school assemblies to humming while he plowed his fields in Jesup, music had always been part of the retired farmer's life. Now it's a tool for keeping the senior happy and healthy. Singing and playing the harmonica have helped Staebell, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, maintain breath support. It also brings joy to his life. "For Mike, this is validation of life experiences," said Schipper, who works with Staebell twice a month. "He's able to re-live what was most important in his life and experience that again on a day-to-day basis." Read more at WCF Courier.

Help out the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, which provides much to their local neighborhoods, including free music lessons! Right now, they're looking for donations of sports equipment:

Spring is almost here and once again the Neighborhood Centers are getting geared up for the upcoming baseball/softball season. They are starting their annual baseball/softball equipment drive.

They are accepting donations of new and used baseball/softball equipment for boys and girls aged 5 to 13. Last year's drive was a great success, and they were able to fully equip over 25 kids enabling them to participate and succeed in the Iowa City Boys Baseball and Iowa City Girls Softball leagues.

Items can be dropped off at 2105 Broadway St. Iowa City. Or call James at 319-354-7989 to arrange for a pick-up. Neighborhood Centers