Why Share Music?

The goal of this website is to encourage musicians to share their talents at the Emily Couric Cancer Center. But, why?

Music is, in a single word, incredible. Listening to live music is scientifically proven to aid in physical healing processes and reducing stress, contributes to emotional well-being, and music itself transcends all sorts of barriers, including language, age, culture, and ability. That is why it’s so important for those who possess musical skills to share music with those around them. Musicians have the ability to connect with a group of complete strangers simply by sharing music in the community; with that unique and exceptional power comes a duty to use it. Not everyone is fortunate enough to play an instrument, so those who do need to share the experience and inherent benefits of creating live music with others. The presence of live music in healing spaces can revolutionize the atmosphere, which in turn benefits the patients, families, staff, and the musician present.

I asked Travis Lively whether it is beneficial for volunteer musicians to play in hospitals, and he responded, "Absolutely! I am a big advocate for music in therapeutic environments. The local choir I am a member of carols during the Holiday Season at the UVA Medical Center and UVA Transitional Care. We have received some very touching feedback from both patients and staff. One patient was quoted saying she was lifted out of despair and regained her will to keep going."

While volunteer musicians are not providing music therapy or acting as certified therapeutic musicians, there are multitudes of benefits associated with volunteer musicians delivering live music in public spaces of hospitals, and specifically, the ECCCC.

“We are, at our cores, sound, and we live in a world of frequency. Music can create frequencies that invite the body to meet it, and that’s, in my opinion, where healing occurs.”

Heather Hightower

The following pages explore why it is important for musicians to share their talent in the Emily Couric Cancer Center. There are numerous ways in which patients, families, and staff benefit from the presence of live music in the ECCCC, and many ways in which the musician benefits from sharing music in this particular healing space.

“The ultimate reason to work on music is to share it.”

Kate Tamarkin