How to Prepare

What should a musician's preparation look like for a performance at the Emily Couric Cancer Center?

When a musician shares live music at the ECCCC, it’s technically a performance (since the musician is playing music for other people), but it’s not a traditional performance setting or experience. The musician and their music are not the center of attention; the musician's job is to foster a positive atmosphere for those around them. Patients, families, and staff at the ECCCC will benefit from the presence of music, but the music played is not necessarily their main focus. The ECCCC is also a sensitive space, meaning most patients and families are enduring hardship, and responses to music may be unpredictable. With that in mind, let’s lay out the process of preparing for this unique type of performance.

When preparing for a performance at the ECCCC, a musician must decide what to play, and make sure they meet all criteria and follow any guidelines in place. Please explore the following pages to learn more about how to select pieces for a performance at the ECCC, and to review guidelines and criteria for performance.