Symphony to stream concert live to local hospital

Sep 28, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

Spokane - When Eckart Preu begins his pre-concert talk on Oct. 2, 2011 patients in beds at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane will join those in seats at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox for the entire orchestral concert experience through live streaming media.

The Spokane Symphony through the technology built into the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, and utilizing the connections of Northwest TeleHealth of Inland Northwest Health Services will complete this first full test of the Symphony’s ground-breaking program presented to patients and staff at Sacred Heart Medical Center and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital as a gift to those unable to attend the performance.

“There are many things between heaven and earth we do not understand and one of them is the power of music. But one thing we know for sure throughout history, is that music has been a big part of treatment, whether it be the tribal medicine man or now music therapy. It is one of those things where we don’t understand what music actually does – we just know it just does miracles,” said Spokane Symphony Music Director Eckart Preu.

Currently, the Symphony is in discussion with Providence Holy Family Hospital, St. Luke’s and other area hospitals working out details to extend the outreach program. It is the hope that this program will grow and be included in all the regional hospitals. This pioneering program brings the healing power of music to hospital patients and staff.

The program, which will be viewed on televisions screens throughout the hospitals, begins with a pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m. and the concert continues at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011.