Published on August 1, 2022
We are so grateful to our friends at Nashville Music Medics for the tremendous amount of love and comfort they offer to our patients and their families. In their recent visit, they met and sang a song for a mother in the caring company of her daughter, shared the love with staff and employees, and made another patient’s day. Thank you for bringing a bit of joy to those we serve.
Nashville Music Medics Meet With Families to Assist With Comfort
The Nashville Music Medics once again visited the Alive residential facility in Nashville on July 20th, fully anticipating we could once again provide some care and comfort for a few residents. Our Director of Volunteer Services, Renee Wisby, LMSW, met us when we arrived. She was accompanied by Music Therapist, Catherine Wilson, and Lynn Edtl, Volunteer Coordinator. After a few minutes of greetings (including a favorite song, “The Catherine Song” for Catherine) we moved through the facility accompanied by these wonderful staff members as we provided our four-part Barbershop Harmony for the selected patients and families. One of the patients we met and sung for was in the caring company of her daughter, Treva, and Treva’s husband. Everyone who gathered in the room, as well as just outside the door, was genuinely touched and appreciative of the “gift” we try to give through our music. Treva graciously consented to a photo memory as we all gathered around her Mother before we left the room. Treva’s eyes and gentle touch communicate tenderness and compassion.
A Serenade for Emily, the Mother of Music Therapist Catherine Wilson
The Director of Volunteer Services, Renee Wisby, LMSW, for Alive Hospice, Nashville, met us when we arrived. She was accompanied by Music Therapist, Catherine Wilson, and Lynn Edtl, Volunteer Coordinator. After a few minutes of greetings (including a favorite song, “The Catherine Song” for Catherine) we moved through the facility accompanied by these wonderful staff members as we provided our four-part Barbershop Harmony for the selected patients and families.
We learned that Catherine’s father had sung Barbershop Music while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force.
After concluding our patient visits, Catherine requested “The Emily Song” (quite similar to “The Catherine Song sung earlier) be sung so she could send it to her Mother. Of course, we were able to joyfully accommodate that request.
Nashville Music Medic and One Cool Patient
It’s not everyday the Nashville Music Medics run across a character as cool as Joseph! But, that’s what happened during our second visit to Alive. After a warm greeting from Renee Wisby, LMSW, Director of Volunteer Services, Lynn Edtl, Volunteer Coordinator, and Catherine Wilson, Music Therapist, we set off to bring some comfort to the residents and their loved ones. During our last visit of the day, we met Joseph, who was engaging, fun to talk with, and just an all-around great guy with a great family. We’re pretty certain that he was into music as it was mentioned to us that one of his grandchildren went to Belmont University for music education. Joseph was quite happy to have us sing to him, as well as include him in a group picture.
Joseph donned his hat and slid into his best Frank Sinatra pose, as well as letting us know he really enjoyed what we sang. All in all a really great day at Alive. The Nashville Music Medics look forward to their next visit. Because You just never know who you’ll meet along the way