Merry Christmas!

December 24th, 2010

On behalf of Musical Designs, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Thank you for making 2010 so memorable for us – your support is much appreciated, and we look forward to serving you in 2011!

Karen Habegger
Musical Designs - Gymnastics Floor Music

Gymnast Spotlight: Elena Weaver

July 31st, 2010

As the owner of Musical Designs, I’ve been privileged to meet many wonderful people over the years – for which I’m very thankful.  Of course, it goes without saying that the gymnastics community is top-notch!  :-)  Right now, I’d like to introduce you to an amazing young lady and a very gifted athlete - Elena Weaver. 

This is her story:

When Elena was born, no one thought she would live very long, and they were almost positive she would not be able to walk, talk or think coherently.  You see, Elena was born with a combination of disabilities due to cerebral palsy. Early on, rather than focus on her limitations, her parents encouraged Elena to dream. And dream she did!  Through the love and support of a wonderful network of family and friends, Elena has accomplished much in her 29 years and in turn, she uses her achievements to inspire others.

Coached by her father, Elena became a Special Olympic athlete at the age of 18 and has competed both as a Rhythmic gymnast (ribbon, hoop, ball, rope, clubs) and an Artistic gymnast (vault, bars, beam, floor).  She is a frequent gold medalist in Level 4, which is the highest level you can go in the Special Olympics.  As her #1 fans, Elena’s parents (Ed and Linda) credit the Special Olympics for giving their daughter a life full of opportunity. 

Last year, Elena was chosen to carry the Olympic torch into the stadium and to light the cauldron during the opening ceremonies at the 2009 Special Olympics Summer Games … truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and no doubt a very cherished memory.

Another exciting highlight in her gymnastics career occurred this past May 2010: Elena and three other Georgia Special Olympics rhythmic gymnasts were invited to travel to Athens, Greece to represent Georgia and the USA in the 2010 Greek National Games.  During the 2-day competition, Team USA scored well, and Elena earned gold medals on Ball and Hoop and silver medals on Clubs, Ribbon and in the All-Around. 

In addition to competing in the Special Olympics, Elena also competes in USAIGC’s rhythmic program (which is non Special Olympics).  Over the years, her gymnastics skills have earned her many gold medals, and because of her dedication and growth in the sport, USAIGC named Elena Weaver their 2009 Athlete of the Year.

When she’s not training or competing, Elena’s other activities include being a Global Messenger for the Special Olympics of Georgia, an Athlete Ambassador on the Law Enforcement Executive Council, a volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and as recently as a few years ago, Elena also enjoyed horseback riding! An active member of her church, Elena is also one of the leaders in their special needs choir called Little Light of Mine. While Linda directs the choir and Ed accompanies on the piano, Elena leads the congregation in worship through sign language. 

My connection to the Weaver family began in late 2008 when Linda contacted me to produce “You Raise Me Up” as the floor music for Elena’s ball routine. Elena had chosen that song in particular because of its powerful and inspirational message.  Through her choreographed routine, she symbolically says ”thank you” to all of the people in her life who continue to believe in her, encourage her, push her, and who love her so dearly.  Needless to say, it was both an honor and a privilege to meet Elena through our mutual love of gymnastics!  A few months after finishing the song, I was especially blessed to attend the 2009 State Summer Games where we met each other in person and where I also watched her compete.   

In closing, I just want to say to everyone reading this post that I hope Elena’s story has inspired you to dream big! :-)  I’m including a few pictures of her ball routine, taken at the 2010 USAIGC National Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition:

1) Elena begins with a prayer

2) Grace and beauty shall follow her all the days of her life

3) She ends with a “challenge” to the judges and the audience

 

Congratulations, Elena, on your many accomplishments, both in and out of the gym!  And thank you, too, for being a valued member of the Musical Designs family. :-)

Your friend,

Karen

Copa short version = 1:19

July 17th, 2010

OK, we know a 1:19 length isn’t technically a short version, but hey, it’s 10 seconds shorter than the regular length so … I guess that qualifies as a shorter version.  *lol* 

Remember, the 1:29 demo can be downloaded for free thru July 31st so be sure to visit our Song List page if you’re interested in hearing it.  See you at the Copa!

Karen Habegger (Musical Designs)

Free Copacabana demo thru July

July 15th, 2010

Hi everyone -

I want to let y’all know that from now thru the end of July (7/31/10), you can download our  Copacabana demo for free (after that, it’ll cost .35 cents like most of our other demos).  Just visit our Song List page and look for the “listen” link (it’s song #9 on the list).  Thanks very much and happy listening!

Karen Habegger (Musical Designs)

 

Copacabana is finished!

July 11th, 2010

Just a quick note to say that Copacabana is done and it’s been officially added to our webstore.  We love it (and hope you will, too).  Many thanks to Dawn and Jacqueline for the suggestion!

la-la-la … at the Copa with Musical Designs

FYI: the finished length is 1:29 and we’ll try to have the demo ready within the next couple of days so continue to stay tuned.  Also, we will have a shorter version released at some point - just watch for info about that – but for now we’re taking a short Copa break.  *lol*

* * * * * * * *

To see a current listing of all our floor music songs, visit our Song List page.

New Song coming soon: “Copacabana”

June 24th, 2010

OK, I just took a look at our blog and … wow … we are WAY overdue for an entry!  So sorry!  I’m happy to make that entry today by announcing that our newest floor music song will be coming out within the next couple of weeks: ”Copacabana” by Barry Manilow.  At this point, all it needs are a few minor revisions here & there, then we’ll add in some awesome drum tracks and it’ll be ready.  Yay!  Right now we estimate the finished length to be in the neighborhood of 1:27-1:28. 

So please stay tuned!

Karen Habegger (Musical Designs)

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2010

Musical Designs would like to wish our gymnastics friends a safe, happy, and healthy new year.  May 2010 be your best year ever!  Thank you, too, for your continued patronage … we look forward to serving you in 2010.

Happy 2010!

Happy 2010!

 

Visit us at Musical-Designs.com

Bring it on!

November 22nd, 2009

Yes, I know that it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet - which makes it still a tad early for Christmas music – but hey, there are many beautiful Christmas songs out there, and they all deserve to be heard, right?  So bring it on!*listening to Christmas music*

In the spirit of the season, we hope that you’ll listen to our floor music demo for “Christmas Medley”.  Also, beginning December 1st and going throughout the whole month of December, we’ll be offering our demo for “Mr. Grinch” at no charge (it’s usually .35 cents).  You’ll be able to download it from our Song List page so please check back with us in December.  Both of these songs are great to use in competition.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Karen Habegger (Musical Designs)

 

Thankful in November

November 1st, 2009

November is shaping up to be a great month this year!  To start things off, those of us who observe Daylight Savings Time get to set our clocks back an hour shortly after midnight, and hey, what’s not to like about an extra hour of sleep? *lol* For  many gymnasts, meet season is well underway and State Meets are coming up soon.  To you we send our best wishes for continued gymnastics success!  Then to close out this wonderful month, over here in the USA we look forward to spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends. This special holiday officially ushers in the Christmas season, so needless to say, we’re always very excited about November!

Musical Designs continues to be thankful for you, our customers, and no matter where you live or how you celebrate November, we hope this month will be special for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 4th of July!

July 3rd, 2009
Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

 

Musical Designs would like to wish all of our friends a safe, happy and relaxing holiday!  And we also want to thank A Kids Heart for providing the above graphic.