Prelude

prel·ude

  –noun

1.

a preliminary to an action, event, condition, or work ofbroader scope and higher importance.

2.

any action, event, comment, etc. that precedes somethingelse.

3.

Music 

a.

a relatively short, independent instrumental composition,free in form and resembling an improvisation.

b.

a piece that precedes a more important movement.

c.

the overture to an opera.

d.

an independent piece, of moderate length, sometimesused as an introduction to a fugue.

e.

music opening a church service; an introductory voluntary.

A new beginning.

Two years ago, on an exceptionally rainy day I drove the hour treck through cornfield to the University of Iowa. Having lived in the Quad Cities for three years I was ready for something new… and I was about to start that adventure. On that rainy day I met a fantastic woman, Dr. Mary Adamek. Former president of the American Music Therapy Association, Director of the University of Iowa Music Therapy Program, and a wonderful mentor. She immediately put me on the right track to completing the music therapy equivalency program (I had previously majored in Music:Vocal Performance at Monmouth College – graduating in 2006). That fall I started classes at the University and within days knew that this was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Fast forward to last November, just after attending the National Convention in Cleveland, OH I set out on my first internship interview. Before convention I talked with supervisors and teaching assistants. I set up mock interviews and rehearsed answers to ensure controlling my impulse to get flustered. While at convention I talked with every professional in Hospice that I could and went to session after session on Hospice care. Friends of mine had interviews scheduled during conference and I picked their brains. My dear friend Lindsay practiced my interview piano piece with me and in my spare time went back to the hotel room to practice my guitar.

So, after conference I returned to Chicago and headed out on my first interview. Things went well… well, except for getting a little lost going there. And the sight singing. And the one exceptionally intimidating interviewer. I felt great about the interview (statements like “Oh! We didn’t expect you to have your pieces memorized” were a boost to my confidence that I had impressed) and at the same time I cried in the parking lot before even driving away. I flip flopped, cried, and prayed for most of the drive home. I wanted this so bad…

“On behalf of all of the music therapists at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Illinois, I would like to offer you a position to intern here starting in June 2011.  Please let me know if you have decided to accept the position.  It was a pleasure meeting you today, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

~ time stamped four hours after my interview

Of course my generally paranoid attitude took this as a “great they don’t have anyone else and have to settle for me”… but in my heart I know I did a great job interviewing and I knew this was where I was supposed to be.

A few months, multiple trips with my car packed to the gills, sweat, tears, worried, and excitement later… I started my internship at Seasons Hospice in Chicago, IL.

This blog is my story… so that if anyone cares to read it might find hope, direction, lessons (on what not to do) or guidance. Or maybe they’ll read about my (mis)adventures and think “thank God that didn’t happen to me” or “that girl is crazy”. But also so that in 20 years when I’m a cranky old MT, cynical and worn down, I can go back and read about this exhilarating time. Just like the beginning of the opera, or the musical… when the lights dim, the audience falls silent in anticipation, and the conductor takes the stand. This time in my life when the prelude begins and the story starts to unfold. While my eyes are still twinkling and my heart is ready to burst with excitement.