Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra Announces Community Outreach Program, “Harmony in Healing”
(LINCOLN, Neb. – Jan. 23, 2020) Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra has launched a new community outreach program, Harmony in Healing, in partnership with local hospitals, rehabilitation centers, memory care centers, and assisted living centers in an effort to impact and improve their patients’ care, well-being, and environment through musical performance and personal interaction.
“The performance of music is a very unique human activity that we use to connect with one another. That event of sharing tends to create a healing effect in people,” says Bob Hinrichs, former LSO Board Member and head of its Innovation Committee. The LSO Board’s Innovation Committee was responsible for brainstorming and cultivating the Harmony in Healing project.
Harmony in Healing presents a series of small chamber ensemble performances in various healthcare facilities and settings throughout Lincoln, including Bryan Hospital, Clark Jeary Retirement Village, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and multiple campuses of Tabitha Healthcare Services. All ensembles are led by LSO musicians, and performances include a mix of classical music, pops tunes, and familiar songs.
“Having seen my parents each go through rehabilitation centers and knowing how lonely that can be—being away from the comfort of their homes and their loved ones—performing with my LSO colleagues at Tabitha was extremely special to me,” says Dr. Diane Barger, LSO Principal Clarinet. “Knowing the residents are battling illness and long rehabilitations, I wanted to play my best for them. I know that our music lifted their spirits, let them reminisce about their past through stories about the music, and made them feel special.”
Research has proven that integrative medicinal techniques provide significant benefits to patients, families, healthcare workers, and healthcare facilities in the form of reduced stress, and pain management. LSO’s Innovation Committee is comprised of Board Members and LSO musicians. Together, they crafted this project to benefit patients and their family, strengthen LSO’s partnerships with area healthcare facilities, and increase the accessibility of symphonic music in Lincoln.
“The goal of Harmony in Healing is to have us as a symphony reach out into the community and create these experiences of connection,” says LSO Executive Director, Barbara Zach Lee. “These audiences might not otherwise have the opportunity to have these special experiences. We hope to use the power of music to create healing in our community.”
Performances for the 2019-20 season are scheduled through April.
Founded in 1927, Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra has a mission to present inspiring experiences that welcome all members of our community to discover and cultivate a profound, personal connection with live orchestral music. For more information about Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra, call 402.476.2211 or visit www.lincolnsymphony.com.
Media Contacts:
Barbara Zach Lee, Executive Director
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
402-476-2211
barbara@lincolnsymphony.com
Kaylene Beal, Orchestra Manager
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
kaylene@lincolnsymphony.com
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