I team-taught a 'Living Skills' class for developmentally disabled adults for quite a few years. My partner was strictly by-the-books when it came to teaching, and had not a shred of spontaneity in her being. We split the class into two groups, her's usually consisted of money-math and reading (both very important subjects).
I had always thought my sessions to be a bit relaxed, until the day I accidentally left the radio on in the kitchen. Even while 'working', toes were tapping, people were singing, and it made me remember how important music can be. I certainly don't clean my own home in dead silence, I sing calypso tunes at the top of my lungs, so why would I teach someone to do otherwise?
This began a new group of sessions, like 'Friday Dances' where we knocked off early to "party down" as one student put it, and 'Tuesday Tunes' where we took turns bringing instruments and playing for each other.
I've read numerous scientific articles on music and brain chemistry since then, most of it makes perfect sense, and it makes me wonder why I didn't think of it sooner.
Many Mudcatter have been a great source of help and inspiration on the subject as well (NightOwl/Musicman/Jeri)
Thanks to you all for such an interesting topic. ~Elle