Students dance to it, workout to it and study to it. Now, they can perform it as a means to help others.
Musicians on Call, a volunteer organization founded by fourth-year College student Anna Palumbo, gives students this opportunity, providing therapeutic music for patients at the University hospital.
"The main purpose is to bring music into the hospital," Palumbo said. "The group is something I've been working on since I got here, and when I spoke to the doctors at the hospital, they were very positive about having students come into play for the patients."
Playing on the phrase "doctors on call," Musicians on Call is a group that Palumbo hopes will provide therapeutic musical assistance to patients in need while allowing promising University musicians to practice their skills.
"In high school, I spent some time playing at a nursing home, and of anywhere I've played, that was the most fun I've ever had," Palumbo said. "I thought that since we have a hospital so close by with so many musicians at the University, and even some who are premed, music therapy would be a perfect match."
To get the club started, Palumbo has organized a Musicians on Call jam session today in the Student Activities Building from 6 to 7 p.m. Jam sessions will take place every Wednesday from now until March 24 in an effort to get musicians together and get them excited about the group, Palumbo said.
Both individual musicians and musicians who prefer to play in a group are encouraged to attend the meeting. Palumbo hopes students will use the jam sessions to form groups that will play at hospital visits.
Although classical is the most common form of music played by Musicians on Call, players of all instruments and musical styles are welcome to play in the hospital, despite some noise restrictions.
For more information about Musicians on Call, contact Palumbo at amp7x@virginia.edu.
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