Since 2016, Owensboro Symphony and Owensboro Health have partnered for “Music on Call” — a program designed to use music to help bring hope and comfort to people who are experiencing challenging circumstances.
The initiative includes placing a musician or small ensemble in “unusual and often, highly visible, venues throughout the community where children and adults benefit from renewal through the power of live music.”
This month, that includes Diane Earle playing sounds of the season on a baby grand piano in Owensboro Health Regional Hospital’s main lobby, greeting patients and guests as they enter.
“We are grateful for this partnership with Owensboro Health which has allowed us the opportunity to connect with and provide comfort to so many,” said Owensboro Symphony CEO Gwyn Payne. “Last year we expanded our holiday performances to two other Owensboro Health campuses in Muhlenberg and Grayson counties, and we look forward to performing at those sites again this year.”
Music On Call is made possible by the Owensboro Health Community Health Investments Grant Program.
Through this community engagement program, partnerships are being established throughout the region with other community organizations — including residential treatment facilities, retirement communities, memory care units, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, family resource centers, detention centers, local businesses, and other corporations.
The initiative aims “to provide a positive stimulus that can be achieved through the exhilaration of live music performance,” according to Payne.
“Music On Call brings meaningful, musical experiences directly to participants in their environment,” Payne said. “These engagement programs give the Symphony a great boost in its ability to provide community relevance beyond the concert hall.”
Debbie Zuerner, OH Director of Community Engagement, said they love having the Symphony musicians playing in OH hospitals.
“This year we hope to expand this work with different offerings during the month as well,” Zuerner said. “Music on Call is a beautiful program and has played an instrumental role, with respect to every sense of the word, in the Arts in Healing focus at Owensboro Health.”
