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Live Music for Children in Hospitals

Created 2013 by Ruti Lachs

Location: Children’s Ward, Kerry General Hospital - Co. Kerry

Duration: 2013 to 2014

Project Outline

Together with Martin Schaerer, and with sporadic funding from Kerry County Council Arts Office, I visit Cashel Ward in Kerry General Hospital, Tralee.

We sing and play music with children in the hospital, both in the day room and at the bedside.

Children, staff and parents respond to the music activities with great enjoyment and positivity. We do a lot of creating new music with the children, making up words and tunes on the spot, and everyone enjoys the humour in this. We also sing nursery rhymes, popular songs, and play traditional music from different countries, depending on what suits the situation.

We bring a lot of instruments with us, because it makes it a really special experience for people when they either get to hear or play a new instrument (such as ngoni, or chime bars), or they may enjoy having a go on an instrument that they usually play at home (such as fiddle, or tin whistle).

It certainly changes the atmosphere on the ward. It puts a smile on the faces of children, babies, parents, nurses, and doctors alike.

The healing potential of the hospital is enhanced by the presence of the live music, as it lifts people’s spirits.