Music Is Medicine: Harnessing the Arts for Wellness and Community

^{Brooklyn Rider plays joyful tunes as UNC Health patients and staff come together in the UNC Children’s Hospital lobby to pause, reflect, and listen.}

Earlier this month, the familiar rhythms of beeping machines at UNC Children’s Hospital gave way to a temporary new sound: the joyful tunes of uplifting children’s folk songs. In collaboration with CPA, Door to Door, and UNC Health, acclaimed string ensemble Brooklyn Rider delivered a delightful pop-up performance that broke through the routine, transforming the hospital lobby into a haven of music and joy for both hospital staff and patients.

Several doctors and health professionals—including the President and Executive Director of UNC Hospitals—stopped by the performance, which also featured a special tribute to composer Philip Glass. RC, a doula who attended, said, “It was amazing. After a long, challenging labor, this moment of beauty really sustained me. Keep doing this!”

“Having music in the lobby is a way for people to have a respite from their busy day and truly dive into the music,” shared Amanda Graham, CPA’s Associate Director of Engagement. “We are interested in the power of arts to promote wellness and healing, and live music is a way to reinvest in the community.”

^{A UNC Health employee takes a break to listen to the captivating sounds of Brooklyn Rider.}

CPA has a long history of hosting free pop-up performances across the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, creating opportunities for exposure to the arts beyond traditional venues. Artists like Michelle Dorrance and Rhiannon Giddens have similarly captivated audiences with past pop-ups, demonstrating how the arts can spark curiosity and connection. For performers like Brooklyn Rider, these intimate performances offer an informal and direct way to engage with the community and experience the vibrancy of the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Brooklyn Rider is not only known for their captivating live performances but also for their innovative album, Healing Modes (2020). This album features Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 132 alongside five new works from contemporary composers, each exploring the theme of healing. By bringing together a diverse range of historical and cultural contexts, Healing Modes exemplifies how music can serve as a bridge between art and medicine, enriching the experience of those who engage with it.

^{CPA staff, Brooklyn Rider, and Door to Door staff proudly pose for a picture with UNC Health staff, celebrating their collaboration.} ^{From left to right: Amanda Graham, CPA Associate Director of Engagement; Colin Jacobsen, Brooklyn Rider; Johnny Gandelsman, Brooklyn Rider; Nicholas Cords, Brooklyn Rider; Michael Nicolas, Brooklyn Rider; Janet Hadar, President, UNC Hospitals & Ambulatory Services; Tracy Carroll, Executive Director, UNC Hospitals Patient Experience and Employee Management; David Binanay, Director of DooR to DooR; Allison Constanzo, Volunteer Services Director.}

If you missed the pop-up and the two performances, don’t worry—Brooklyn Rider’s own Johnny Gandelsman, CPA’s first Curator-in-Residence and a recently-announced 2024 MacArthur Fellow, will return to present This is America. This series features new work that responds to the American experience during 2020 which spotlights Gandelsman and a lineup of incredible composers and musical collaborators.

The transformative power of music reminds us that even in the most clinical environments, moments of beauty and connection can have a profound impact on well-being. Here’s to more magical moments in the future!

As we strengthen our partnership with UNC Health and Door to Door, we eagerly anticipate more collaborations that connect CPA with organizations throughout the Triangle, fostering deeper engagement with artists. If you’re interested in collaborating with us, please reach out at CPAmarketing@unc.edu.