#AMTA16 is just days away and we want to highlight some of the ways you can listen to, participate in and play MUSIC!  After all, that is the reason we are all together.  Music heals. Music inspires. Music motivates.  Music educates.  Music is THERAPEUTIC. Music ROCKS!  You won’t want to miss any opportunity to make music with your friends, colleagues, mentors and a few Grammy-nominated musicians too! 😉

OPENING SESSION:  Did you hear?!?  Jim Brickman, Grammy-nominated pianist and songwriter, is kicking off our a conference with a LIVE performance you won’t want to miss on Thursday at 7:30pm in Kilimanjaro 1,6. Learn more here.

CONFERENCE CHOIR: There’s nothing like singing with other music therapists to bring you inner and outer JOY.  Join the choir for a rehearsal immediately following the Opening Session to prepare for a performance on Friday outside the Exhibit Hall at 1:45pm.  Learn more here. 

EXHIBIT HALL: This will open immediately following the Opening Session and for most of the conference.  This is your chance to play ALL. THE. INSTRUMENTS. And dream or add to your music therapy collection.  Test them out, play with friends and decide what fits your work best!  The Exhibit hall will be held in the Kilimanjaro Ballroom.

JAM ROOMS: Gather with music therapy friends, students and colleagues to let loose and rock out together! The ROCK Jam room will be in Leopardwood and the UNPLUGGED Jam room will be Sagewood.  Both will be open Thurs and Fri evenings from 11pm-2am.  Who needs sleep at conference anyway?!

UKE CIRCLE: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer have been staples at AMTA conferences for quite a few years now and they are back with TONS of Ukes and lots of great tunes.  Bring your Uke or use one they have on hand to Kalahari B on Fri evening from 830-930pm.

DRUM CIRCLE: After the Uke circle you will DEFINITELY want to join in on the AMTA annual Drum Circle!  If you’ve never been, this is a MUST!  Grab a drum supplied by our awesome supporters (here’s looking’ at YOU REMO!) and be led by Carrie Jean Ekins and Hachya H. Franklin in Kilimanjaro Suites 1, 6 from 9-10pm on Friday night.

THE MUSIC THERAPIST UNPLUGGED: This event will be led by Joanne Loewy and it’s a time to SHARE MUSIC and how music relates to your work as a music therapist.  Head to Kalahari A on Friday from 930pm-1230am for this in-depth music sharing event.

CONFERENCE CHOIR: There’s nothing like singing with other music therapists to bring you inner and outer JOY.  Join the choir for a rehearsal immediately following the Opening Session to prepare for a performance on Friday outside the Exhibit Hall at 1:45pm.  Learn more here. 

CHANT CIRCLE: will be led by the Daughters of Harriet, five music therapists that will lead you in singing and vocal exploration.  No singing experience necessary.  Join them on Saturday from 8-930pm in Cypress.

CABARET: is your chance to showcase your musical talents and unleash your originals, covers and musicianship how YOU want.  Sign up at registration for a slot to perform and show up Saturday between 930pm-1am in Kalahari A.

CONFERENCE WRAP UP: will feature Top Hat Black, a local Cleveland group with two music therapists (and local committee members, rock on Sam Rodgers-Melnick and Seneca Block!).  Enjoy this groups bluesy roots rock blend as we wrap up conference on Sunday from 12-1245pm in Kilimanjaro Suites 1, 6.

QUIET: Silence is also a VALUABLE part of music making and attending a conference buzzing with 1,500+ people!  Sometimes it can get overwhelming and you need peace and quiet to regroup, detox, prepare or rest.  Your hotel room can be a great place for this and there are plenty of large hallways, comfy couches and quiet nooks to explore.

Now, get working on your conference schedule and don’t forget to include time for making MUSIC!