Patients at a Philadelphia hospital will soon be able to view orchestra performances on their bedside TVs.
The initiative is the result of a partnership between the The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, announced earlier this week.
HD video recordings of the orchestra’s performances will be available on patients’ TVs as part of the hospital’s GetWellNetwork.
The orchestra’s executive director, Peter H Gistelinck, said: ‘Enriching the lives of our city’s people is in the core of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s mission. Our collaboration with the hospital gives us the opportunity to bring our performances to people who need the healing power of music the most.’
The orchestra has shared streaming rights for past performances with the hospital, and recordings of future performances will also become available in due course.
Director of Philadelphia’s Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Dr Richard G Pestell, said: ‘Research shows that music contributes significantly to medical care — it can aid in healing. These extraordinary musicians are here in our backyard in Philadelphia, and it’s wonderful to be able to offer their music to our patients.’
The partnership forms part of the orchestra’s extensive outreach programme, which includes ‘Classical Conversations’ (informative post-show Q&A sessions); ‘Beyond the Baton’ (a roundtable discussion over brunch with music director Dirk Brossé); along with open rehearsals and cheap student tickets.
