LOCAL MUSIC THERAPIST SAYS MUSIC IS POWERFUL

Janet Barton uses songs to change kids' behavior. The music starts, and a little girl's face lights up with joy. She is reacting to music just as most people do when they hear a song that they like.

But this little girl cannot hear the song. She is deaf. She feels the music by putting her head against the guitar.

This, according to Janet Barton, is an example of the power of music.

Barton is a music therapist. She uses music as a kind of medicine to build self-esteem, enhance education and change behavior.

She works with physically and mentally handicapped children in the special education department of Carmel Clay Schools. With social workers and physical and occupational therapists, she helps these children acquire independence and develop communication, social and learning skills.

Barton demonstrates. She walks into the room, sits down and pulls out her guitar. Suddenly, she starts singing a happy-sounding children's song. The song introduces everybody who is "here for music today."

She passes out bells and shakers so her listeners can participate. Smiles soon appear on everyone's face. She makes the listeners feel special.

Getting everyone involved

When Barton does this exercise with handicapped children, they also feel special. Putting the children's names in the song makes them feel important. Giving them instruments to play makes them feel a part of the music.

She remembers one time, while singing Jingle Bells, there was a little girl who could move only her head. Barton put the bells in her mouth.

"She could ring on the beat," Barton said. "She had rhythm and that made her feel good because she was participating at her own level."

Barton teaches the children how to count and say their ABCs through song. She also uses songs like The Hokey-Pokey to teach body parts and how to move. Other songs teach the children how to listen, follow directions, concentrate and relax.

Music is such a powerful motivator because it is fun, Barton explained.

She studied music therapy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute. She first worked at Arbor Hospital, where she used music to treat patients who were addicted to drugs.

Music helped the drug addicts feel good about themselves, Barton said. Through singing and playing instruments, they could relax and release tension. Through songwriting, they expressed their emotions.

Born with music in us

In August of 1992, Carmel Clay Schools asked if she would begin a music therapy program for them.

"Now," she said, "I'm using music to reinforce education."

Barton believes that "music is a part of us, a part of our everyday routine." She feels that we naturally have an "innate musical sense _ our heart beats, our body has rhythm."

But she fears that because of music's power, it should be used carefully. If music carries bad messages, it could have a bad influence on the listener, she said. "It will take a hold of you and suck you in.

"It's like your friends. If you have friends who drink, swear and have no structure in their life, you will become that."

Like many friends, "music lasts a lifetime," Barton said.

And that is what she finds rewarding about her work with children.

"I can give them a gift that lasts a lifetime; that's what I think is so fulfilling."