Spotlight on the Music and Wellness Program

Mar 29, 2016

Patients and their families are benefitting from the healing power of live music through the NJSO’s new Music and Wellness Program. NJSO musicians are performing customized programs for patients at their bedsides and chamber music concerts in common areas at several medical centers. The Music and Wellness Program is made possible by partnerships with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ), Hackensack University Medical Center and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

The Orchestra began a pilot program with NBIMC and CHoNJ this fall; each month, NJSO musicians have performed live music at patient bedsides, infusion rooms and other areas, to the delight of patients, visitors and employees.

Music has shown promise in the reduction of pain, anxiety and fatigue among hospitalized cancer patients, and the positive impact of the NJSO performances was immediately apparent, NBIMC and ChoNJ Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Darrell K. Terry Sr. says. “This type of program really adds to the quality of life for our patients. We are thankful that NJSO professional musicians are able to share their talents here.”

The pilot has been so successful that, beginning this spring, Hackensack and Horizon will bring customized Music and Wellness Program events to their own medical centers and partner hospitals.

“It has been inspiring to see the happiness and comfort live music has brought to patients, their family members and hospital staff, and we are thrilled to be expanding our Music and Wellness Program with additional partners,” says NJSO Director of Institutional Giving Ingrid Novak.

“Live music reduces stress, lifts spirits and promotes a healing environment. Our patients, staff and families love it,” says ChoNJ Coordinator of Child Life Department Anne Reilly, MS, CCLS. “Two of our teens who were in school bands were thrilled to ask the musicians questions.”

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