Live Music Program
The Live Music Program brings musicians from the community into the hospital or home setting. The musicians help to create a healing environment at WGH. Live music is offered in the lobby, on various units of Whidbey General Hospital, and through Home Health Care and Hospice.
Requirements
- Musicianship must be at an advanced skill level; musicians need to be able to play their instrument with skill and sensitivity while, at the same time, paying close attention to patient and staff responses.
- Complete WGH orientation.
- Be available to play two hours per week (this is negotiable).
- Comfortable meeting new people, working in new situations, working with illness.
- Six-month commitment preferred.
- 16 years or older for hospital, 18 years of age or older for Home Health and Hospice.
- Stringed instruments (especially guitar or harp) or piano/keyboard preferred.
Responsibilities
- Attend quarterly meetings with music therapist and other volunteer musicians. Notify if unable to attend.
- Maintain patient/family confidentiality at all times.
- Maintain weekly check-in with music therapist (via sign-in sheet at hospital or brief phone report).
- Seek information/support/direction from the Music Therapist and staff, as needed.
- Conduct in the home will be consistent with the guidelines and standards for other Home Health/Hospice staff. Home Health volunteers also complete brief session reports for all visits.
Services Provided
- Hospital musicians will play music in various patient care areas around the hospital. In the lobby, this will include checking-in with patients and staff who will be within earshot of the music and paying close attention to how the music is being received.
- In-home hospice might mean playing your music for an extended period of time to bring comfort to patient and loved ones gathered. It might mean playing your music to alleviate pain or assist with relaxation. the Live Music Program team to play for these events.
Additional Opportunity
Musicians are also needed for isolated hospital events (i.e. Cancer Art Show, Remembrances of the Heart) and can range from a singer songwriter o a full band. It is not necessary to be part of the Live Music Program team to play for these events.