What to Expect

The ECCCC typically has a quiet atmosphere. A musician must be mindful of the fact that most people present are going through a difficult time, and be respectful and polite to everyone they encounter.

• Remember that many patients and families have traveled long distances for treatment and/or appointments at ECCCC. People are often tired, whether from travel, long waiting periods, or from treatment like chemotherapy.
• Many patients and families in the waiting areas of ECCCC are stressed; they may be awaiting treatment, appointments, or daunting scans and tests. As said by Kate Tamarkin, the musician's intention is to provide a soothing sonic atmosphere that can aid in the relieving of stress. For some patients, this could mean that the music provides a welcomed distraction or something pleasant to listen to, but for others music can help access deep emotions and expression of feelings.
• Know that negative reactions and/or responses can occur, but understand that others’ responses are out of your control. What you can do to ensure the best performance possible is to be sensitive, and adjust if needed.

Here is a video from the Cleveland Clinic that is a great reminder that everyone at a hospital is going through different experiences and struggles that may not be evident on the surface:

What If Someone Has a Negative Response to the Music Played?

If, for any reason, someone has a negative reaction to the music you play, remember that they are most likely going through a very difficult experience, as that is probably influencing their response. If they ask you to play quieter or change the piece, do your best to politely comply. Advice for this type of situation from Jeanne Jackson is, “If someone complains, ask, “What would you like to hear?” and see if you have something similar in your repertoire. Sometimes the difference could be playing your piece a little softer.”

• An important thing to remember, as stated by Jeanne Jackson, is, “Just because one person doesn’t like it (the music) doesn’t mean someone else isn’t enjoying it.”
• Different people respond differently to music; don’t be offended if someone responds negatively. Most likely it is not a reflection of the musician or their musical skill.
• The majority of the time, well-played music is positively received, but it is important to mentally prepare for all types of situations, considering the environment at ECCCC can be variable.

It is also important to know that most often, there is no obvious reaction from your “audience” at all. Many people are listening as they pass by, or while they’re waiting for an appointment, for example. An important reminder from Michael Slon is, “When performing, the reaction from the audience can drive the performer. But, when you perform in a community space, sometimes there’s not a lot of reaction. People may not even be able to react.” Just because a musician may not have applause or people directly complimenting their music does not take away from the positive impact of the performance. Sometimes the best compliment is when people stop briefly to listen as they walk down the hallway, or smile when they hear a tune they enjoy.

While performing, know that there is often background noise. Some common noises are the sound of a wheelchair or cart going by, the elevator dinging, and conversations in the background. This is why it is so important for a musician to be secure enough in their music that they can play through distractions. A musician should remain focused on their music, but if they slip up at any point, take a breath and pick up the piece again (The good news is, nobody is listening for imperfections in the music like a judge would in a recital or competition!). While the performance space and piano itself are lovely, remember that the performance is not about the quality of the performance space or atmosphere; it’s about the quality of the service the musician provides.