Philharmonic Aims to Harness Healing Power of Music

A new initiative of the Arlington Philharmonic hopes to couple the “healing power of music” while building on its audience. 

Sound a little far-fetched and New Age-y? Rest assured: The idea has the backing of medical professionals.

The new “Music as Medicine” initiative won’t be ready for its debut until the fall of 2012 – fund-raising and community outreach will come first – but the ultimate effort is to bring the power of live classical music to patients at local hospitals and residents of nursing homes and retirement communities.

“More and more, you see alternative therapies making their way into the hospitals in an effort to treat the whole person, not just the textbook physiology of a disease or injury,” said Dr. Chris Wyckoff of Pumonary and Medical Associates of Northern Virginia, one of two honorary co-chairs of the initiative.

Wyckoff, who also serves as assistant director of medical education at Virginia Hospital Center, said he hopes the effort will help the medical community and patients broaden their perspectives on what helps a patient to recover.

That’s a goal shared by Dr. Sidartha Chandela, director of the neurovascular surgery department at Virginia Hospital Center, who also is serving as an honorary co-chair of the effort.

“Music can be restorative and a great diversion for patients and their families who are struggling with difficult medical conditions,” Chandela said. “I am excited to be part of this innovative approach for patient care.”

Most performances in the new series will be geared toward patients, residents of retirement communities, families and staff. Funding for the project is being sought from individual donors, corporate sponsors, grants and special fund-raising events.

The Arlington Philharmonic kicks off its 2011-12 season with a concert on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School. Admission is free, and donations will be accepted.

For information, see the Web site at www.arlingtonphilharmonic.org.