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Book Review: This is Your Brain on Music

Jan 7th, 2010
by Kimberly.
5 comments

Welcome back and thank you for returning! Be sure to join the conversation by commenting below. You can also contact me directly by visiting the Contact Page.

Woman ReadingIf you read my blog, you know that I am a big fan of neuroscience. The brain  fascinates me and understanding how it works is a big part of my clinical work.

So it should be no surprise that Dan Levitin’s book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession has been on my reading list for awhile.

And I finally finished it! (Though technically I finished it last month,  but with the bustle of the holidays, I haven’t been able to share this review with you.)

In short–I loved it. I highly, highly recommend this book. If you enjoy this blog, then you will love This is Your Brain on Music.

Dr. Levitin (you can access his website here) has a unique background. He began his career as a recording artist and producer, then went back to school, eventually earning his doctorate in neuroscience. He is currently a professor, writer, and researcher at McGill University.

The field of music neuroscience is only about 10 years old, just a decade younger that the field of neuroscience itself. But it’s a field many neuroscientists are interested in because music affects so many different areas in our brain. You understand music neuroscience, and you understand much of the brain.

In This is Your Brain on Music, Dr. Levitin gives a thorough, yet easy-to-understand overview of our current understanding of how our brain processes and understands music. It’s not an easy endeavor. Music touches our emotions, memories, motor system, language, senses–it’s everywhere! Yet he explains this incredibly complex information in terms easy to comprehend.

There are two ways in particular he organizes and explains information that I appreciated. One, his book uses lots stories about music and many real-life vignettes to highlight his examples. Dr. Levitin can just as easily talk about a Beethoven symphony in one chapter and the Rolling Stones in the next. As a fellow musician, I appreciate his musical knowledge and expertise.

Second, major sections begin with observations and questions. These are part of the scientific process. Observations lead to questions, which lead to hypotheses, which lead to testing hypotheses, which lead to learning. Dr. Levitin takes you through this thought process with all the different questions he asks about how our brain processes music. After he asks the questions, he answers them for you.

In conclusion, if you are a music therapist or music therapy student, this book is a must read. Even if you’ve had no neuroscience training, you will understand this book because of how accessible Dr. Levitin makes the information.

And if you are a music lover, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It’ll get you thinking about and listening to music in new and exciting ways–and wouldn’t that be fun!

If you are interested in learning more about the book, click on this link: This Is Your Brain on Music.

If you’ve already read the book, let us know what you think by leaving a comment. Simply enter a comment in the field below, then click “Submit.”

P.S. One of the reasons it took me so long to read this book is that I don’t have time right now to sit and read. But last fall I finally joined Audible and began listening to audiobooks while driving and working out. It’s the only way for me to read these days.

If you are interested in learning more about Audible, click on the link below:
Audio Books at Audible.com

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Posted in: Music and Neuroscience, Reviews.
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Happy New Year! (Now Time for Taxes)

Jan 5th, 2010
by Kimberly.
4 comments

taxesbusinessWow–2010. I’m sitting here at my computer, first day back at work after the holiday break, and already I’ve had to delete “200-” and re-type “2010″…many times.

Not only does this time of year bring excitement and anticipation for what’s in store (and maybe a little post-holiday letdown), it also brings a season near and dear to our hearts…tax season.

If you, like me, are a business owner, it’s time to start organizing your tax forms. Here’s a brief outline of what’s due and what it all means:

(NOTE: this is intended for educational purposes only. You really should consult with a professional accountant for all your tax needs. Also be aware the I do not cover sales taxes as most of you are not in the business of selling product. I’ll save that for another post.)

Payroll Taxes (if you have employees)

  • Quarterly Payroll Taxes (Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax, and SUTA). It’s time to file your payroll taxes from the last quarter. I’ve written in more detail about payroll taxes here and here. Briefly, your Form 941 (for federal income taxes) are due to the IRS along with the taxes you owe. You will also have to file and pay your state unemployment taxes (or SUTA) AND your state income taxes. These are the same forms and taxes you file every quarter. They are due by January 31st.
  • Annual Payroll Taxes. It’s time to pay your Federal Unemployment Insurance Tax (or FUTA). Your state equivalent (SUTA) is filed quarterly, but the federal ones are filed annually (unless your FUTA fees exceed $500 a quarter). Simply fill out Form 940 (available from the IRS) and submit that in with your payment. The due date is January 31st.

Other employee-related forms

  • W-2s. A W-2 is a “Wage and Tax Statement,” a form that tells the IRS how much money a person’s been paid and how much they owe in taxes. If you hire and pay employees, it’s your responsibility to prepare their W-2s. You will have 4-6 copies for each employee: 2-4 will go to your employee (by January 31st), 1 to the IRS, and 1 for your records. You can prepare all your W-2s electronically at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer. You can create your W-2s, file them with the IRS, and print off copies for you and your employees. W-2s are due to the IRS by February 28th.
  • W-3. A W-3 is like a summary statement of all your W-2s. You prepare your W-3 as you get all your W-2s ready. The W-3 is submitted to the IRS along with copies of all your W-2s. All those forms are due by  February 28th. You can use the same service to prepare and file your W-3 as you do your W-2 (cool, huh?).
  • Form 1099. If you use subcontractors (also known as independent contractors, or ICs), and you’ve paid them over $600 during the year, you need to prepare and file Form 1099. You yourself may receive a Form 1099 from some of your clients (depending on your business structure). Like with the W-2, you’ll create multiple copies of Form 1099: 1 for the independent contractor, 1 for the IRS (that YOU submit) and 1 for your records. The subcontractor needs their 1099 by January 31st, the IRS by February 28th.

Federal Taxes

Every American knows that we have to submit our individual income taxes by April 15th. Guess what? Businesses also have to submit income taxes. The type of filing you do will depend on your business structure (NOTE: I do not include partnerships as the vast majority of therapy businesses I’ve seen are not partnerships.):

  • Corporations (C-corp or S-corp) must file their federal taxes on Form 1120, available from the IRS. Due date: March 15th.
  • Sole proprietors file their business taxes in conjunction with their individual taxes (Form 1040). Fill out and submit the Schedule C section of your 1040, which is the “Profit and Loss from Business” section. You will also need to submit the Self-Employment tax using Schedule SE on your 1040.  Due date: April 15th.
  • LLCs are flexible. When you incorporate as an LLC, you will decide whether you want to file your income taxes as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation.

You can easily find any federal tax form by visiting the IRS website, www.irs.gov. Click on the “Forms and Publications” link. The forms mentioned in this article that you will find on the IRS site include: Form 941, Form 940, Form 1099, W-2, W-3, Form 1120, Form 1040 (including Schedules C and SE).

Where you find your state tax forms depends on the state where you live. In Colorado, we get all our state tax forms from the CO Department of Revenue. You’ll need to talk to your accountant to figure out the rules in your state.

Taxes can take awhile to understand and prepare correctly, especially when you are first starting out. Hopefully this overview gives you a basic understanding of what’s needed.

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Posted in: Private Practice.
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Merry Christmas!

Dec 24th, 2009
by Kimberly.
No comments yet

Merry Christmas to all of my readers! I hope you have a happy, healthy, relaxing, and wonderful holiday.

I will be taking a break this next week to spend time with my family (can you blame me after seeing that video?!?). I will return next month ready and eager to talk with you again!

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Posted in: Kimberly Personal.
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Remembering Dr. E. Thayor Gaston (Part 3)

Dec 22nd, 2009
by Kimberly.
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For the past two weeks, we’ve delved into the “father of music therapy,” Dr. E. Thayor Gaston. Guest writer Anita Louise Steele, music therapy professor at Ohio University, shares her memories of Dr. Gaston the teacher, Dr. Gaston the mentor, and Dr. Gaston the man.

This article concludes the three-part series:

Remembrances of Dr. E. Thayer Gaston

MemoriesI also remember that there was a gentle and social side to Dr. Gaston.  I recall he had the graduate students several times at his home.  If I remember correctly, not only did he have a family but he also grew roses (like my own father).  Somehow at the time, I found it hard to realize that he was in his ‘away from school life’ not unlike other less vilified people I had known.

Dr. Gaston took a strong and enduring interest in his students.  Though I did not know it at the time, he made several trips to Cleveland, Ohio to deliver lectures on the subject of music therapy.  The impact of these lectures contributed greatly toward creating in this arts-friendly city an open door through which music therapy would enter.  Soon after his lectures, The Cleveland Music School Settlement (CMSS) put into motion a plan to raise the money necessary to begin the first community based music therapy service program in the country.  When asked who could take the position at CMSS and develop such a program, Dr. Gaston suggested me.  I had already made plans to interview at a community school of the arts in New Haven, Connecticut however when Dr. Gaston pointed me in the direction of Cleveland, I went.  Dr. Gaston somehow knew that this was an organization in which I could be nurtured and could mature as I developed the community based service to private families and to agencies in greater Cleveland area.

My relationship with Dr. Gaston was far too short.  During my beginning years in Cleveland, I wrote to him from time to time to tell him of how things were going.  There was one letter; however which he did not receive.  This was the letter that was returned to me with the word “Deceased” written in large red letters across the name and address.  It was a shock to receive the news of his sudden death in this manner and to realize that this awesome individual was gone.  I soon realized however that he had given me the underpinnings to be successful in the career I had chosen.  I frequently think of the values he instilled in me and others which have far surpassed his lifespan and have influenced the field of music therapy as it is today.  I will close this little journey into the past with several favorite Dr. Gaston quotes from Music in Therapy:

“Music is not mystical but it is mysterious.”

These quotes have meant more and more to me the longer I am in the field.  I hope Dr. Gaston is listening…

I want to again thank Professor Steele for sharing her memories of Dr. Gaston. They are priceless.

If you enjoyed this series, let me know by leaving a comment below. And if you have an idea for writing your own guest post, email me directly.

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Posted in: Guest Posts, Music Therapy.
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Top 10 Best Holiday Songs

Dec 17th, 2009
by Kimberly.
11 comments

DB102709001I love this time of year. The caroling, the lights, the gifts, the tree. It all makes me smile.

It probably won’t surprise you that my absolute favorite part about this time of year is the music. I LOVE listening to and singing Christmas songs this time of year.

For the majority of the year, if you ask me to name my favorite pieces of music, I’d be hard-pressed to name just a few. But it’s different with Christmas music. I have my favorites. Some I enjoy listening to and others I enjoy singing.

My Top 10 Holiday Songs include:

  1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). I don’t really know why, but this is my absolute favorite Christmas song. Hands down. I sing it every year.
  2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. This is my #2 favorite Christmas song. You can’t beat Judy Garland’s version in “Meet Me In St. Louis“–it’s a classic. I’ve always preferred the original words, too, that go “…until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow” (rather than “…hang a shining star upon the highest bough”). Did you know the words were different?

  3. Silent Night. I love it’s simplicity. I love it’s beauty. I love harmonizing to the melody–takes me back to my high school alto days!
  4. The Hippopotamus Song. I heard this song for the first time last year. I don’t know how well-known it is, but I was hooked! It’s an oldie, but I love campy, make-you-smile kinds of songs like this one. My favorite line? “Mom says the hippo would be me up, but then/Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian”

  5. Santa Baby. It’s on my “bucket list” to sing this in front of an audience one day, Eartha Kitt-style.
  6. The Chanukah Song. Ahhhh, Adam Sandler. This song makes me laugh every single time.

  7. Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Like with Santa Baby, it’s on my “bucket list” to sing this duet one day. Love it.
  8. 12 Days. Have you heard of Straight No Chaser? They are an awesome all-male a cappella group, originally from the Indiana. They are a tight group and a hoot to watch. There’s another song they have you may have heard on the radio, called “The Christmas Can-Can.” Hysterical! They actually came out with a CD just this year: Christmas Cheers. Click that link if you’re interested in checking it out!

  9. The First Noel. This is another classic, traditional Christmas song that I just love.
  10. Jingle Bells. Yes, I love “Jingle Bells” in all it’s child-like simplisticity (my 3 year-old loves it this year!). Did you know it has three verses? Pretty much everyone knows the first verse, some even know there are two (it starts with “A day or two ago…”). The third verse goes: Now the ground is white/So go it while your young/Take the girls tonight/And sing this sleighing song/ Just get a bob-tailed nag/ Two-forty for his speed/Then hitch him to an open sleigh/And, crack!, you’ll take the lead.

So, what’s on your “Top 10″ list? Leave a comment below!

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Posted in: Kimberly Personal.
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Remembering the “Father of Music Therapy” (Part 2)

Dec 15th, 2009
by Kimberly.
2 comments

Last week, we started a three-part series written by guest author, and Ohio University teacher, Professor Anita Louise Steele. Professor Steele studied with the “father of music therapy”, Dr. E. Thayor Gaston. Here, in her own words, are her memories of the man and the teacher:

Remembrances of Dr. E. Thayer Gaston

I recall that the first time I met Dr. Gaston was at the orientation for the new graduate students entering the NIH program.   For sometime after that initial meeting, I tried to avoid speaking directly to Dr. Gaston out of fear created by his ‘larger than life’ image!  Dr. Bill Sears was also part of the KU faculty at that time.    Instructors connected with the special project were George Duerksen and Warren George, graduate assistants, and Vance Cotter, field supervisor on the project.   These instructors were earning their doctorates under Dr. Gaston and assisted the masters’ students in many, many ways. We often said that we would not have made it through the degree program without them.  One example of how important these individuals became to us was our experience with statistics class, a required class.  The problem arose when the class, taught by the head of the statistics area, seemed to be impossible for the music therapy students to pass!  Dr. Gaston stepped in and created for us a special statistics class co-taught by the graduate assistants.  We not only learned the material but we actually grew to like statistics!  I hardly think we would have been so lucky if we found ourselves in the same predicament today.

In 1964 we had no music therapy text books.  There were a number of books about the effect of music in healing and its use in medicine; however these were not text books and none written by someone who practiced music therapy as a career.  It was left to Dr. Gaston to solidify the field of music therapy as autonomous and separate from music education.  We students had the privilege of reading a late draft of “Music in Therapy” edited by Dr. Gaston with contributing editors from among the most forward thinking in our field at the time.  Our tests in the NIH program consisted primarily of books written by philosophers, learning theorists and musicologists.  Dr. Gaston’s approach to higher education was to teach students to think logically and systematically and to apply that thinking process to both clinical work and research.  We were required to read and discuss in class one book a week from a required reading list.  Such readings greatly expanded by thinking along with a required class in philosophy and debate.

In thinking about Dr. Gaston’s unusual ability to get to the heart of a matter, I am reminded of something which happened while I was on a rotation at the developmental center for advanced clinical work and research.  There was a communication problem between my field supervisor, a doctoral candidate, and the director of music therapy at the center where we did our placement.  I was caught in the middle of the controversy which brought Dr. Gaston to the clinical site to resolve the issue.  When he met with me he looked at me with those piercing eyes and asked, “Louise, what do you think the problem is here?” (In essence he was using the issue at hand as a ‘teaching moment.”)  I responded in a non-committal manner, presenting both the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of the issue.  I tried very hard not to break down but the strain got the better of me when he said to me, “Now, Louise, tell me what you really think.”  I then gave my analysis, with which he agreed, but left with the one and only migraine headache of my life!  I took from that episode an important lesson.  That lesson was that even though one must objectively assess two sides of an argument, one must still arrive at a workable solution. That solution requires a commitment to one perhaps less than perfect viewpoint but one which allow you to move forward for the greater good.  That lesson has served me well in my professional life.

Next week: Remember the personal and social side of Dr. Gaston.

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Posted in: Guest Posts, Kimberly Personal.
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