Welcome to Songs For Success! My name is Kerry Cornelius and I am a music therapy intern working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Baltimore, MD. Songs for Success was born of my desire to be an actively contributing member of the music therapy blogging community, which provides students and professionals alike with a unique opportunity to share innovative activities, insights and knowledge to improve and expand the practice of music therapy.
Over the coming months, I hope to address some of the challenges I feel are present when planning sessions for clients with lower functioning levels. Through my educational experiences, I have become aware of the difficulty of creating and implementing developmentally appropriate activities that also match each student’s chronological age. Although nursery rhymes and child-like melodies may be preferred by clients of all ages, those songs don’t usually reflect the musical preferences shared by their neurotypical peers. This presents a unique challenge for me as I continue to develop new session plans: how can I make music interventions age-appropriate, success-oriented, and most importantly—sound cool—based on individualized client goals? I’m looking forward to exploring answers to that question with you over the next six months.
For my first official blog post, I’d like to share a transitional song, “It’s A Beautiful Day for Music,” that I wrote and introduced to my clients. Many individuals with ASD struggle during transitions, so the purpose of this song is to reinforce the schedule and to bring awareness to the current session time. However, this song can easily be adapted for use as a movement or instrument playing activity.
I am providing you with a recording of me singing the song as well as an image of a visual aid that you might find helpful. I hope you enjoy “It’s A Beautiful Day for Music” and can find a way to implement it within your own practice!
Songs For Success 
So excited for you and this new adventure! Can’t wait to learn more about the field and all of the awesome opportunities music therapy creates for kids!
I really like this song, Kerry. I am going to use it with my kindergarten classes….good job!
So excited about your blog! Looking forward to learning more as you share! 🙂
Very nice. Your Aunt Chris, whom I have known since high school, turned me on to this site. Good job! My friend’s grandson has this affliction and I will be telling her about this.
Thank you all so much for your support!! I’m thrilled you might find some ways to use my song!
I love “Pumpkin Vine!” I’m definitely using this with my ESL kids!!!!!!