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Banding Together

MTC partners with Banding Together, a local San Diego nonprofit,  who has  many partnerships and connections throughout the San Diego area. One of these connections is SurfDog Records. SurfDog and Banding Together partner to host Soundcheck Jams, a unique experience that gives special needs individuals the opportunity to join nationally touring bands onstage during their soundchecks at a local music venue in the greater San Diego area! Some of the musicians they have worked with include Michael Franti, Shaun White, Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz and most recently- Grammy Award Winning band, Ozomatli! 

I got the amazing opportunity to participate in and assist Ozomatli’s Soundcheck Jam in August. Only one month into my internship, and I was already exposed to amazing experiences like this!

Ozomatli is an LA based rock ban formed in 1995. They have a unique and genre-bending style which incorporates aspects of salsa, jazz, funk, reggae and hip-hop in their music. Winning two Grammy Awards for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album and a Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, Ozomatli has left imprinted upon the music industry, making this opportunity even more exciting for both myself and the Banding Together participants!

I arrived at the BellyUp Tavern in Solana Beach to the sight of excited and eager participants, ready to enter the venue and JAM! While waiting for the venue to finish setting up, I got to meet and mingle with the kindest participants. This was a great introduction to some of the folks that I’d later meet at the Fall semester of Jam sessions! 

Once we entered the venue, you could see the participant’s faces light up. The venue was cool and intimate, with interesting lighting and fun decorations. We all gathered on the dance floor area to listen to pass out our instruments, listen to the band warmup and perform a few songs for us-our own private concert! After the participants went backstage and made their way on to the stage to sing, dance, and play instruments on stage with Ozomatli! There was so much love, laughter and smiling amongst the group, it was contagious. Participants were thrilled to be up on a stage, interacting with the band and playing instruments to Ozomatli’s awesome music. We stayed on stage for 2 songs, jamming, singing, laughing, and dancing  before we exited, chatted with the band and took some pictures which can be seen below! 

All in all, Soundcheck Jam was a great experience, one where I was able to meet both new participants and an amazing group of musicians! I feel so lucky to intern at a company that provides amazing inclusive opportunities for their clients and team members. 

One of my favorite experiences has been Jam Sessions through Banding Together. Banding Together is a partner non-profit founded  by Angela and Julie that hosts Jam Sessions led by board-certified music therapists for individuals 13+ years of age with varying developmental and intellectual disabilities. I participated in 2 nights of Jam Sessions every week. As senior intern, my role included providing musical support, leading drum circles, acting in skits and even standing in as a guest musician! 

Jam sessions are a great music-based social group experience for participants. There are opportunities for clients to practice social skills amongst peers like themselves.  Participants work on active listening, turn taking, how to participate or engage in group activities and conversations, following verbal, visual and musical directions, and musical entrainment through drum circles. 

Jam Sessions are run primarily the same every week with a schedule that includes: 

  • Welcome-targeting social reciprocation and greetings.
    • The hello song helps bring the group alive and oriented to the space, their peers and the music. When leading, I love to use a microphone and move around the room, interacting with clients and giving them a chance to sing over the speakers! 
  • Drum Circle-targeting active listening, group cohesion, musical entrainment, and turn taking
    • When I’m not leading drum circles and have the opportunity to sit in the circle with participants, I find so much joy in the little moments created within the music making. Whether it is a participant locking in to a drum leader, participants facial expressions between each other, or their laughter at a silly moment, there are countless small meaningful connections amongst participants and volunteers alike. 
  • Social Skills Skit-focusing on a new social skill concept every week by coordinating with the semesters theme (i.e. Beach Jam, Jungle Jam). Social skills can include active listening, how to have an adaptable or flexible brain, how to participate in a group context, how to join peers in conversation, how to use visual and auditory context clues when engaging with others, etc.
    • Having the pleasure of acting in several skits throughout my time at Jam Sessions has been such a joyful experience. Whether it’s a silly ice cream shop worker or a safari guide, I have seen countless participants engage and respond positively to social skill skits. 
  • Guest Musician/Live Stream-The guest musician will play 1-2 songs while participants are given the space to move, dance, and play instruments around the room. This performance portion is live streamed to the Banding Together facebook page.
    • As a new San Diegan, I have loved meeting and making music with talented musicians from all over the San Diego area-and participants love it too!
    • Here is an example of me as a guest musician! 
  • Jam Time-one of our jammers favorite times of the night is when they get to JAM!  Participants have the opportunity to choose a song for the group to explore rock instruments (e.g. sing at the mic, play a keyboard, drumset, electric guitar, etc.) or be a back up vocalist or dancer!
    • Some of my favorite Jam session memories are dancing, singing, or making music with participants during jam time. Watching participant interactions during this time is always a highlight of my night!
  • Closing-We use our upbeat goodbye song to send participants off on a high note!

Jam sessions are truly a safe haven for the participants. We create an atmosphere where participants can know that they are not judged, not alone, free to express themselves and be included in the music no matter what. Jam Sessions create opportunities for social interaction, camaraderie and musical opportunities. It has been one of the most fulfilling and educational experiences of my internship and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with these amazing participants. 

-Mia Falcon

        My outlook on fundraisers has usually been that they are a necessary evil. I often viewed them as the time of year when a non-profit would have to shmooze up to the rich and affluent in the hopes that they would donate enough money for the non-profit to continue to provide whatever services that may be. However, this past weekend I came to see fundraisers very differently as I had the pleasure of being a part of a fundraiser, Greatest Hits, for Banding Together, a non profit that provides music therapy opportunities to those that may not have access to it other wise. The fundraiser was held at the Belly Up, a concert venue in Solana Beach, California. It featured a live auction, donor board, wine and beer pull, as well as variety of live musical performances. The event sold out for the first time in its nine year history thanks to the support of local grammy award winning musician and avocado farmer, Jason Mraz.

        As the events of the fundraiser progressed and money was raised I noticed something. People were excited to give and be a part of Banding Together’s mission. The community atmosphere was palpable as clients participated as “hype men” (a.k.a. The ones building up the excitement in the room by cheering the event along) for those around them, cheering on donors as over $60,000 was raised to make a difference for those with special needs to experience music opportunities. Those that gave, gave generously because they believed in the cause. It was as I looked around at the excitement on everyone’s faces, those giving and those volunteering, that I noticed my previous perspective changing. Those attending the event were not there to be an ATM. Instead, they were there to stand with Banding Together and share in the mission. The Greatest Hits fundraiser was meant to showcase the individuals who benefit from the programs, why it matters, and what fruit partnering together will produce and it did so exceedingly well. I will without a doubt look back on it with the fondest of memories.

-Noriah Uribe MTI

 

jason maraz at the bellyup

We had a blast this morning at the Autism Speaks Walk! I cannot imagine a better way to spend my last day of internship. It was an honor to join in with this amazing community, advocating for individuals with autism. Moreover, it was an honor to perform on stage with The Kingsmen, The Yakety Yaks, and members of the Jam Session program. These talented teens and young adults showed me and everyone at the walk what it looks to overcome stage fright, to work hard, to be an amazing team member, to be proud of your accomplishments, and to HAVE FUN!

Check out these awesome musicians!

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  • Chiara

 

This weekend marked a celebration – many friends gathered together to share in the joy of Reid Moriarty and his family over the completion of Reid’s newest album, “Shine”.

Shine album

Reid has been a client of Angela’s at The Music Therapy Center for many years and several of the songs from this album were ones they wrote together (with the help of many other talented musicians!)  It is a worship album that tells a beautiful story of the hope, joy, and fulfillment that Reid has found in God.  Over 14 musicians came together to be a part of this project – from writing the songs, to recording in the studio, to mixing the finalized product – and had the privilege of celebrating the end result at yesterdays “Listening Party”  hosted by the Moriarty’s.

Reid at listening party

Listening Party fun Shine

I have had the pleasure of working with Reid during my internship and am constantly amazed at his creativity, genuine care for others, and love of life.  He will make your day with just a few words, guaranteed!

If you’re interested in buying Reid’s album as well as learning about any of his upcoming gig’s and other projects, please visit: http://www.reidmoriarty.com/

Reid, you are truly an inspiration and I’m so grateful that I came to know you during my time at MTCCA.

Keep on shining!

Reid Allie and Marissa.jpg

-Marissa

Jam session.jpg

This past week, Banding Together’s Spring season of Jam Sessions came to a bittersweet end.  Throughout the past 5 months of being an intern, Jam Sessions became one of my weekly highlights and I will treasure some very special moments and memories from my first season being a mentor with Banding Together.

This Jam season I learned to watch, listen, and learn (in that order!).  I truly learned so much from observing the mentors/volunteers interact with and encourage participants as well as from participants being genuine friends to one another.  In my experience as an intern, so often I am jumping into things – taking leadership and problem solving – that this experience proved to be a very important opportunity for me to sit back and learn from watching others.  The patience, wisdom, and gentle, humble leadership I observed in other mentors taught me to be more aware of myself and to consistently encourage clients to be the absolute best they can be.

Another highlight from this season, was having the privilege of seeing participants experience such excitement and sheer joy when Jason Mraz performed as a Guest Musician.  This was such a special night of sharing in music with someone who has touched the world with his message and gift.  Thank you, Jason!

Lastly, Jam Sessions proved to be a complete blast!  The dance moves, the drum circle grooves, the action leader skills, personalities shining through with solos or at the mic, the relationships deepened and laughs shared… for me it was a true expression of the power and joy of making music with others.

On a final side note, Chiara and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves while taking the “Dress up as your favorite rock star!” prompt to heart.  Enjoy these pics of us as Jelena (Justin and Selena), Sonny and Cher, and Billary (Bill and Hillary).  (Oh, the many perks of being an intern!)

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That’s a wrap for our Spring session – here’s to another great one this fall!

Cheers!

-Marissa

banding together secret show

Banding Together’s Jam Sessions provide youth with special needs with an opportunity to come together for a one-hour jam session where we play drums, sing songs, dance and have a great time with friends. After EVERY Jam Session, I leave feeling completely inspired, full of enthusiasm for life and a heart full of love and appreciation. I always feel incredibly grateful to be involved with this organization but I also feel the desire to share it with others. I want everyone to know how amazing these youth are and how music therapy allows them to shine at their brightest.

On February 12th, 2016 that desire to share with others became a reality. Banding Together was recognized by professional skateboarder/snowboarder, two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and his band Bad Things! We were invited to a secret show by Bad Things, sponsored by San Diego’s local radio station 91X. We all arrived and got to hang out with the members of Bad Things, rock out with them, take pictures with Shaun White and just plain ol’ have a good time. The best part of it all was getting to see the Jam Session participants in an inclusive environment, thrilled by this unique and exclusive opportunity just for them

When I started internship, I had no idea that I would get to hang out with the coolest people ever and get to go to events with celebrities sponsored by radio stations! Every week I get to jam and hang out with the best of the best! This is definitely one of my top internship highlights.

-Kristin