West Music

ALT Join our music therapy team for holiday music groups for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities! SoundReach Singalong is offered virtually on Tuesdays at 4:30 starting November 10 Chimes Choir will take place at West Music in Davenport, IA on Tuesdays at 5:30 starting November 10 Learn more and register: musictherapy.westmusic.com/winter-recreational-music

ALT Chime Choir: Adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities are invited to join this festive tone chime ensemble, designed to highlight social connection, cognition, and teamwork! Tuesdays, November 10-December 15 at 5:30 pm at West Music in Davenport. Cost $55 Learn more and register: musictherapy.westmusic.com/winter-recreational-music

ALT SoundReach Singalong: A social music group for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities hosted virtually on Zoom. This group is designed to promote social connection & cognitive skills. Tuesdays at 4:30 from November 10-December 15 on Zoom. Cost: $30 Learn more & register: musictherapy.westmusic.com/winter-recreational-music

ALT "It's amazing how much you accomplish in each session! I'm very pleased with how it's going." -Caregiver of a music therapy recipient Learn more at musictherapy.westmusic.com

ALT Fall 2026 SoundReach Choir Concerts: Cedar Rapids: October 26 at 6:00pm, DeWolf Innovation Center (Marion) Quad Cities: October 27 at 5:45pm at All Saints Lutheran Church (Davenport) Iowa City: November 18 at 6:00pm at First Christian Church (Coralville) Learn more at musictherapy.westmusic.com/soundreach-choir

ALT Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from the Music Therapy team at West Music! From September 15-October 15, we celebrate cultures with Spanish roots and the many ways they have enriched our communities through language, traditions, art, music, food, and more! Learn about cultures celebrating this month: bit.ly/4dgmR5X Swip to see a list of the relevant songs our music therapists are playing!

ALT Maria Bonita (Agustin Lara) Cielito Lindo (Mexican Folk Song) La Bamba (Ritchie Valens) En la Pulga de San Jose (Puerto Rican Folk Song) De Colores (Folk Song) La Canción (Bad Bunny) Dos Arbolitos (Mexican Folk Song) Una Noche Más (Jennifer Lopez) La Cucaracha (Mexican Folk Song) Oye Cómo Va (Tito Puente)

ALT "Thank you for your efforts with our daughter! She is benefitting and making progress, and we are thankful for you." -Parent of a music therapy recipient musictherapy.westmusic.com

ALT Cozy Autumn Vibes: Fall into the season with some favorite autumn songs from the music therapy team at West Music! Swipe for the playlist!

ALT Autumn Songs: -Autumn Town Leaves by Iron & Wine -Autumn Almanac by The Kinks -Autumn in New York by Ella Fitzgerald -Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole -Leaves That Are Green by Simon & Garfunkel -September by Earth, Wind, & Fire -September Morn by Neil Diamond -Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day Moondance by Van Morrison

ALT Don't Miss a Thing: Sign up for the monthly music therapy newsletter! musictherapy.westmusic.com/newsletter

ALT "You made my day 100% better! Thank you!" - Hospice patient's statement at the conclusion of a music therapy session, which had begun with her saying it had been a "rough day"

ALT Therapeutic music experiences inspired by Dolly Parton songs! 9 to 5: This song can promote reminiscence and communication related to past or dream work experiences. Jolene: Learn the names of group participants, or practice communication skills by creating a parody called “ice cream.” Light of a Clear Blue Morning: Spark meaningful conversations about overcoming difficulties. Wildflowers: The recording of this song features an autoharp, which can easily be adapted so anyone can play along!

ALT Therapeutic Music Experiences inspired by Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors! Songwriting: The lyrics of the song can be rewritten to tell a participant’s personal story. Lyric Discussion: The lyrics can spark conversations about childhood, parental care, and what a person values in life. Parachute: As a prop of many colors, a parachute or colorful scarves can be used to promote motor skills. Picture Book: Introduce young readers to this song by pairing the lyrics with lovely illustrations by Brooke Boynton Hughes.

ALT The Music Therapists of West Music were together from across the state last week! Want to be a part of this enthusiastic, supportive music therapy team? We're hiring!

ALT We're hiring a full time board certified music therapist to start immediately in Cedar Falls, Iowa! Join an established team of music therapists to support clients with diverse needs in pursuing individualized goals. This position will work with individuals and groups of all ages in fulfilling the department mission of “Enriching Lives Through Participation in Music.” Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT The board certified music therapist hired in Cedar Falls will be responsible to: -Facilitate music therapy experiences in group and individual settings, including hospice & memory care -Manage client caseload independently with support from an established team -Educate potential clients about music therapy services A qualified applicant will be Board Certified by start date and have a valid driver’s license Learn about the 30 year legacy of music therapy services at West Music: bit.ly/4u781Fq Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT Perks of working as a music therapist at West Music include: -Competitive pay with all work-related activities compensated -Comprehensive health, dental, vision insurance + disability insurance -401K with employer match -PTO and paid holidays -Access to company car + mileage reimbursement for use of personal car -Continuing education support -Remote office time capability -Session materials supplied -Employee discount in retail store -AMTA, ICMT, & CBMT dues paid Hear from current team members: bit.ly/4njdTbY Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT "SoundReach Choir has proven to be the happiest most cacophonous, uplifting, and engaging choicr ever imagined! - Parent of a SoundReach Choir member Quote from book: "Dancing in a Disabled World" by Maureen McCue (2024). Available from Ice Cube Press.

ALT Photos of enthusiastic singers in SoundReach Choir concerts! It's not too late to sign up for this season - musictherapy.westmusic.com/soundreach-choir

ALT It's not too late to register for SoundReach Choirs happening this fall! Cedar Rapids (Mondays at 5:30 at St. Ludmila Catholic Church) Quad Cities (Tuesdays at 5:45 at All Saints Lutheran church) - STARTING TOMORROW! Iowa City (Wednesdays at 5:30 at Robert A Lee Rec Center) - starting September 9 musictherapy.westmusic.com/soundreach-choir

ALT State Fair-Inspired Songs and Experiences from our Music Therapy team: Ideas for promoting motor, emotional, & social skills while reminiscing about this beloved annual tradition!

ALT Music Therapy Team's State Fair Playlist: -Take Me to the Fair (Elvis Presley) - Our State Fair (Rodgers & Hammerstein) - On a Carousel (The Hollies) - Round & Round (Perry Como) - The Ferris Wheel (Ray Harbeck) - Palisades Park (Freddy Cannon) - A Veritable Smorgasbord (from Charlotte's Web)

ALT Music Therapy Team's Experiences for the State Fair: - Scarves, Ribbons, or Octoband: Move props in various ways associated with fair rides - up, down, circles, and loop-de-loops! Discuss favorite carnival rides & ribbon-winning exhibits! -Beanbag Toss: Play some midway-style organ music and toss beanbags into a drum or bucket along with a musical cue! Multiple rounds can present mutliple challenges - further away, higher in the air, or with the other hand! - Food Shakers: Discuss favorite fair foods, food eating competitions, and food exhibits! Emotions Roller Coaster: Practice emotional identification, self-awareness, and regulation strategies by comparing emotions to a roller coaster!

ALT Adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities are invited to join SoundReach Choir - ensembles directed by music therapists of West Music! Cedar Rapids rehearsals take place on Mondays from 5:30-6:15pm starting August 10 Rehearsals in the Quad Cities take place on Tuesdays from 5:45-6:30pm starting August 18 Iowa City rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15pm starting September 9 Register now at musictherapy.westmusic.com/soundreach

ALT “Thank you so very much for making a difficult time bearable.” -Family of a hospice patient receiving music therapy services

ALT Adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities are invited to join an ensemble directed by our music therapists! Register now at musictherapist.westmusic.com/soundreach The Cedar Rapids season starts August 10 with rehearsals on Mondays from 5:30-6:15 at St. Ludmila Catholic Church The Quad Cities season starts August 18 with rehearsals on Tuesdays from 5:45-6:30pm at All Saints Lutheran Church The Iowa City season starts September 9 with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 at the Robert A. Lee Rec Center

ALT "You are the highlight of my weeks, and I love it when you come and sing with me! -Hospice patient who receives music therapy services

ALT We are Hiring a Board-Certified Music Therapist to join our team full time in Cedar Falls starting immediately! Join an established team of music therapists to support clients with diverse needs in pursuing individualized goals. This position will work with individuals and groups of all ages in fulfilling the department mission of “Enriching Lives Through Participation in Music.” Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT This board certified music therapist will be responsible for: -Facilitating music therapy experiences in group and individual settings, including hospice & memory care -Managing client caseload independently with support from an established team -Educate potential clients about music therapy services Qualifications include board certification and a valid driver's license and personal vehicle. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT Perks of working as a board-certified music therapist at West Music: -Competitive pay with all work-related activities compensated -Comprehensive health, dental, vision insurance + disability insurance -401K with employer match -PTO and paid holidays -Access to company car + mileage reimbursement for use of personal car -Continuing education support -Remote office time capability -Session materials supplied -Employee discount in retail store -AMTA, ICMT, & CBMT dues paid Learn more and apply: bit.ly/48P50ko

ALT 4th of July Vibes: Creative additions to your Independence Day playlist suggested by our music therapy team

ALT ROCK in the USA: John Mellancamp Party in the USA: Miley Cyrus American Pie: Don McLean American Girl: Tom Petty America: Neil Diamond Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue: Toby Keith Back in the USA: Chuck Berry Color Me America: Dolly Parton Chicken Fried: Zac Brown Band

ALT Welcome to the music therapy team, Emily! Emily recently joined our music therapy team as an intern from Western Michigan University! Her interest in music therapy stems from her love for music while getting the opportunity to help as many people as possible. In Emily's free time you might catch her playing with her dog or photosynthesizing in the sun. Emily also loves to travel and see new parts of the world, which includes trying new foods!

ALT Music therapy experience ideas for Road Trips! Learn more at musictherapy.westmusic.com

ALT Road trip songwriting can involve creating a parody that names sites on a specific route, favorite places traveled, or dream destinations. Songs that work well include On the Road Again, I've Been Everywhere, Hit the Road Jack, Movin' Right Along, Route 66, or Life is a Highway!

ALT Road Trip Playlist Creation can involve discussing songs to play while driving, songs associated with travel memories, or songs naming destinations.