The Royal Conservatoire is involved in a European research project ProMiMiC. This project aims to further professionalise a live music practice in hospitals, where small groups of musicians make person-centred music for patients and nursing staff. Live music in a medical setting can be very meaningful for both patients and staff. Patients can for example feel better, experience less pain or stress, and nurses feel a deeper connection to patients. For (future) musicians and our students, it is a way to play for new, smaller audiences in different settings.

Between 16th-19th May a ProMiMiC live-lab takes place in Haaglanden Medisch Centrum.

Musicians Krista de Wit (violin), Alistair Sung (cello) and Stijn Brinkman (violin and student Master New Audiences and Innovative practices at the Royal Conservatoire) play for patients and staff on the Oncology ward of Antoniushove in Leidschendam.

The kick-off was on Monday with a short concert for the nursing staff. This whole week the musicians play for patients every morning if the patient wants this. The musicians ask what the patient would like to hear. A popular theme, a piece of a specific composer, a light and cheerful or perhaps a more serious or religious piece. Sometimes the musicians and the patient talk about memories, journeys, and start to improvise. But it is always a very meaningful moment for patients, nurses and musicians.

The patients and staff really enjoy these special concerts. Nurses consider it a very valuable addition to hospital care. Also, for the musicians it is special. ProMiMiC requires other skills, musicians have to work together with the nurses and improvising makes it (musically) very inspiring.

In September there will be a Livelab at the neurology ward at HMC Westeinde. The research project results will be presented at a symposium in June 2023.

For more information see here or you can contact Lucienne de Roos.