Music For Health at Westmead

The Children's Hospital at Westmead patients to enjoy innovative concert as SydneySymphony and MBF put 'Healing Power' of music to the test.

Young patients at The Children's Hospital at Westmead will enjoy the therapeutic power of music when the Sydney Symphony and MBF combine to present an innovative concert where children become unofficial members of the orchestra.

THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT WESTMEAD PATIENTS TO ENJOY INNOVATIVE CONCERT AS SYDNEY SYMPHONY AND MBF PUT 'HEALING POWER' OF MUSIC TO THE TEST

YOUNG patients at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead will enjoy the therapeutic power of music when the Sydney Symphony and MBF combine to present an innovative concert where children become unofficial members of the orchestra.

The concert is the first in the 'Sydney Symphony and MBF music-4-health' series to be conducted in one of the State's public hospitals. The hospital's music therapist, Jenny Whalan, is convinced of music's positive health impact especially its comforting links to home and family life.

"Music therapy is increasingly embraced as a valid addition to medical treatments," Ms Whalan said. "In addition to providing comforting links to home and family, music therapy can facilitate positive interactions with staff and care givers."

According to Sydney Symphony managing director, Libby Christie, the Sydney Symphony is committed to extending the benefits of classical music to as many people as possible.

"This is a great opportunity for the Sydney Symphony to bring music to people who might otherwise be limited by mobility, illness or other circumstances," Ms Christie said.

Numerous international studies point to the positive effect of music on a wide spectrum of health issues from depression to terminal illness. The faculty of medicine at Sydney University has a unit dedicated to medicine and music and the University of Melbourne has an extensive musical therapy course.

MBF national public affairs manager, David Jones, said the 'Sydney Symphony and MBF music4health' series was one of a number of community programs conducted by the organisation to promote health and wellbeing.

"A hospital might seem an unusual setting for a concert by some of Australia's finest musicians but we could think of no better or deserving audience than the youngsters at The Children's Hospital at Westmead to test the therapeutic power of music," Mr Jones said.

"Apart from enjoying the music, during the concert, the children participate in a toy symphony and become temporary members of the orchestra. It is an experience from which everyone benefits."

LOCATION: Starlight Room
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
DATE: Wednesday 8th February 2006
TIME: 11am

This document was released on Wednesday, 8 February, 2006