Music in Hospitals
Music in Hospitals aims to provide unforgettable live music experiences for the enjoyment and therapeutic well-being of older people isolated by ill-health, disability or a loss of independence.
Music in Hospitals (MiH) was established in 1948 to provide concerts in hospitals for patients. The organisation quickly grew to provide live music performances not only in hospitals, but also in hospices, care homes, day centres and special schools covering England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Scotland.
We are a registered charity and a leading provider of professionally performed live music across the healthcare spectrum. MiH works in partnership with a variety of organisations, NHS Trusts and grant givers to deliver a range of one-off sessions as well as on-going programmes. Annually, we organise in the region of 3,500 professionally performed interactive live music concerts, across the UK, through our Live Music Projects for adults and children receiving care or treatment for an illness or disability. All concerts are tailored to meet the needs of the particular audience group and setting.
Professional musicians with high communication skills
MiH works with professional musicians who are carefully chosen by audition. They perform to a high standard and as well as a very high level of musicianship and our musicians have exceptional communication skills which enable them to relate to and interact with each member of their audience. A MiH Live Music performance is not only about good quality music, but also about engaging with the audience and our musicians cover different musical disciplines and cultures to cater for all age groups, backgrounds and interests of the audiences. Programmes range from classical, modern to jazz, folk,
stage musicals and old time.
Music in hospital combats loneliness and isolation
A typical Live Music performance lasts just over an hour however; we often find that the musicians take on the role of friend and listener as they chat to older people about the kind of day they have had or the memories the music has sparked. This is particularly welcomed by the elderly, who have little contact with relatives or friends.
Quotation from care home:
“Music in hospitals was fabulous. We were very grateful for the entertainment.”
Margaret House Extra Care Scheme, Uckfield. (about A Couple of Swells) MiH concert rated Excellent.
15/10/2013
Academic research supports the therapeutic benefits of live music performed for older people, who are ill disabled or have learning disabilities and these have shown that music had a positive effect, both mentally and physically, on the people who attended and experienced live music performances. A study carried out by the University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland OHIO, US found that:
“The power of music has been shown to affect the mind and body in the following ways:”
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce anxiety and depression associated with treatment
- Reduce pain by increasing the production of endorphins
- Increase production of proteins that speed healing and reduce the danger of infection
- Reduce stress and promote relaxation
Each performance reaches out to about 25 people and we therefore touch the lives of many individuals at each of our concerts. This is a very cost effective use of funds and a wonderful way to give pleasure to so many people. MiH has been bringing the joy and therapeutic benefits of live music to people in care for over 65 years
