Health care workers were taking a break in the middle of the clinic at the Moncton hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
On their way to blood tests, X-rays and patient care, they took a break from the hospital's usual hectic routine to congregate in the spacious atrium and lean on balconies.
About 30 people were gathered outside the door singing, the acoustics of the large hall allowing their voices to echo throughout the building.
This was the debut performance of Music in Medicine, a choir made up of colleagues from all departments of the hospital, including housekeeping staff, administrators, nurses, doctors and paramedic students.
Led by the Greater Moncton Choir's Melody Dobson on piano and conducting, the choir sang popular songs such as “Lean on Me,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “Closer to Fine,” as well as the Disney hit “Surface Pressure” from the film “Encanto.”
Melody Dobson said that when rehearsals first began, the choir members didn't know each other that well. Now, she says, it can be hard to keep them focused. “They all enjoy each other's company so much that it's hard to get them to stop chatting and get back to singing,” she said. “It's wonderful to see that.”
Melody Dobson says the choir members didn't know each other that well when rehearsals first began, and now she sometimes struggles to keep them focused. “They all enjoy each other's company so much, it's hard to get them to stop chattering and get back to singing.” (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
In addition to choosing songs that audiences would know, Dobson said she wanted to choose songs with a clear theme.
“It's feel-good music, a lot of it is upbeat and has themes of helping each other and doing things together and being happy – relying on someone, relying on someone – and basically the role that health care workers play,” she said in an interview.
Lisa Searle, a family physician at Moncton Hospital, founded Music in Medicine at the hospital after participating in a similar initiative at Dalhousie University during her medical training.
Lisa Searle, a family physician at Moncton Hospital, founded Music in Medicine after getting involved with a similar initiative at Dalhousie University during her medical training.(Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
The idea for the choir came from Lisa Searle, a family physician who settled in New Brunswick after studying medicine at Dalhousie University.
When I think back to what was probably one of the most stressful times of my life, I remember the choir where I sang with my classmates and medical workers.
“That was a highlight. I always feel bad when I go into the choir, but when I come out I feel lighter and I'm so happy,” she said in an interview.
She had originally planned to start the choir in late 2019, but the pandemic began before the idea could come to fruition. After seeing how hard her colleagues were struggling during the COVID-19 outbreak, Searle thought the time was right again and put out a call for interest.
Melody Dobson is the conductor of the Music in Medicine Choir.
Melody Dobson is the conductor of the Music in Medicine Choir. (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
She was surprised by the response.
“There were 60, 70, 80 people in the hospital and they attacked, bang, bang, rapid-fire,” she said, adding that they included doctors, nursing staff, pharmacy, cleaning and administrative staff.
Searle said since they began rehearsing in January, choir members have strengthened bonds and built relationships with people they would normally only pass in the hallway.
Applause and cheers rang out throughout the Moncton Hospital at the band's first-ever performance Wednesday afternoon.
Applause and cheers rang out throughout the Moncton Hospital during Music in Medicine's first performance Wednesday afternoon. (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
Searle said the choir's flexibility also appeals to busy medical workers.
“Some people work shifts, some people answer call. We even have a caller in our choir who will deliver a baby in the middle of practice.”
Dobson has also noticed the bonds her choir members have grown closer over the past few months, but she has also seen the impact it has had on their mental health.
Sophisticated instruments were used in Sesame Street's performance of “Rubber Duckies.”
The “Rubber Ducky” performance featured sophisticated instruments. (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
“They're dealing with some pretty heavy issues. No matter what happens, I would say this is the highlight of the week. We just come and sing and forget about everything.”
She said Wednesday was a chance for the Music in Medicine Choir to get started. She hopes there will be more performances to come for the community and for patients at the hospital. Ideally, she said, the choir would join a larger ensemble from the Greater Moncton Choir to take part in the annual Christmas concert.
Choir member Daniel Thomas said he can't think of a better way to express his joy for music than by singing with the Music in Medicine Choir. “Singing to patients is as healing for me as it is for those who hear me,” he said.
Choir member Danielle Thomas says she can't think of a better way to express the joy of music than singing with the choir. “Singing for patients is healing for me and healing for those who hear me sing.” (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
Katherine Robertson, manager of community and strategic initiatives for the Friends of Moncton Hospital Foundation, said the organization provided funding up front for the choir's creation and that the money will be used to keep the choir going in the future.
But she emphasized the value of music programs in medicine.
Moncton Hospital's “Music in Medicine” choir is made up of health care workers, from housekeeping and custody to doctors and nurses.
Moncton Hospital's “Music in Medicine” choir is made up of health care workers, including doctors and nurses, as well as cleaners and janitors. (Rachel Huizinga/CBC)
“It's the perfect title, the perfect name,” she said. “Music transcends cultures, creeds, languages ​​and ages. It's universal. It's also healing and therapeutic.”
“So there's music in medicine, but there's medicine in music.”
