Message from the Chief Executive
Music in Hospitals is a wonderful organisation engaging very special people whose love and dedication bring peace, warmth and joy into the lives of sick and disabled adults and children across the UK.
I am talking not just about our musicians, but also the staff who piece together all the concerts, which is like an enormous jigsaw puzzle, and very carefully choose the appropriate musicians for individual events.
Recent research is bringing to light the recognition within the healthcare field that the playing of live music to patients with a wide variety of conditions shows clear and measurable therapeutic benefits. The research may well demonstrate that those patients will require lower doses of expensive drugs. This is substantiating reports we have received over the years from healthcare establishments after our concerts.
At a recent concert I attended, one particular patient caught my attention. She was slumped in her wheelchair and was obviously distressed and in pain. As the concert progressed I noticed her fingers were tapping in time to the music and she was becoming more upright in her chair. By the end of the concert, she was sitting bolt upright with a large smile on her face, waving a flag and singing along to 'Land of Hope and Glory'.
This is what Music in Hospitals' concerts are all about - improving the quality of life of people in care. Music can reduce muscle tension and improve body movement and co-ordination. The healing chemicals created by the joy and emotional richness in music can enhance alertness and general well-being of the patients.
Every one of us will experience time within the healthcare environment, either personally or through a close friend or relative, and will appreciate the enormous benefits of experiencing a live performance at a difficult time.
My greatest wish would be to provide one of our special concerts at least once a month for every care centre in the country. To touch the lives of every adult and child in long term care would be wonderful. To make this wish come true we need more money and I hope that anyone browsing our website is encouraged to help us reach our aim. I thank you all for your kind support.
Diana Greenman Chief Executive