Medics of a hospital in China's capital Beijing has orchestrated a "symphony of recovery" for patients through organizing live musical performances at the hospital's outpatient hall.
The music performances at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given by "Xieyun", an orchestra launched by the hospital nine years ago. It is made up of the hospital's medical staff and medical school students.
Members of Xieyun voluntarily stage musical performances regularly for patients, their families, and other medical workers to help them ease psychological pressures.
In late March, a performance jointly by Xieyun orchestra and a art group from Beihang University was staged. The music performance is usually given at the lunch break time.
The orchestra mesmerized the audience with a fusion of traditional Chinese folk music and some classic theme songs from foreign films, creating a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western melodies.
"I am a little bit nervous. (Reporter: How many times did you participate in the performance?) And this is my third time to perform in our hospital," said Tang Xuanheng, an orchestra member.
Outside the crowd, Zheng Zhibo, a thoracic surgeon and who founded the orchestra, closely watched the performance.
"In addition to physically treating the patients, we as doctors and nurses, also want to heal their hearts with music," said Zheng.
Students from Beihang say the unique experience bears a special significance for them.
"It's a great way to understand that music can sometimes be a substitute for medicine and that it has a lot in common in terms of healing their hearts and diseases," said Liu Chuxuan, a senior student from the School of Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University.
The orchestra's performance has been well received by the audiences, who said the idea shows that the hospital really cares about their wellness.
"It is humanistic, and I think it's good," said a patient in the hospital.
"Having this kind of (concert) in the hospital may also provide some leisure time for patients to relieve their anxiety while they are waiting for treatment," said another patient.
Beijing medics orchestrate symphony of recovery for patients through live musical concert
