Music educators’ and students’ views on participating in a music and medicine program

Abstract

Using semi-structured interviews and participant observation, this study investigated the experiences of student musicians and faculty participating in a Music and Medicine program in the United States. The program is a partnership between a midwestern university school of music and a local cancer center. Results revealed that in contrast to traditional concert settings where musicians are centered, in the non-traditional environment of a healthcare setting, the listeners were centered; this instilled in performers a sense of humility and made them attune to the humanity of the transient audience around them. The program cultivated professionalism and joy by providing students real-world performance opportunities in a low-stress environment. Finally, it fostered artist citizenship by encouraging performers to reflect on how their art can serve the larger community.