A new fund has been set up at the University of Nebraska Foundation to support Music as Medicine, UNMC’s long-running music program.
Held monthly from October to May in the Durham Outpatient Center’s West Atrium, Music as Medicine provides classical, jazz and other forms of musical performances for the faculty, staff, students and patients of the med center. Performances are traditionally underwritten by colleges, institutes, departments and the office of the chancellor.
“Support has been steadfast, but with the issues with the budget over the past few years, the Music as Medicine Committee decided it would make sense to set up a fund,” said Laurey Steinke, Ph.D., co-chair of the committee. “In the past, individuals — including committee members — have made donations, and this will make those donations tax deductible.”
Performances usually draw between 50-100 people, she said. Others, including patients, often just stop for a few minutes to listen.
Music as Medicine plays an important role on campus, Dr. Steinke said.
“We are all buckling down and trying to work harder and smarter,” she said. “So short breaks, taking a moment to refresh yourself, is going to be even more important — and Our Music as Medicine performances provide a nice moment of respite in a busy day.”
Donations to the Music as Medicine program can be made online. For the specific fund, donors should type in “Music as Medicine.”
The 2017-2018 Music as Medicine series begins Oct. 19 with a performance by Susie Thorne & Friends. See a complete season schedule.