Hospital Musician Trainee: Final Reflections

By David Burles

David is a bassoonsist and a Pulse Arts Trainee at the Broomfiled Hospital from January- December 2019.

I have had the privilege of making music with Dave and Joe over the last year on six children’s wards in Broomfield Hospital.  As we visited Phoenix, Wizard, A&E, Burns, Outpatients and Neonatal, we sang, played and made music with patients and families in the corridors, waiting rooms, bays and side rooms.

The staff were very supportive of the work and often commented on the benefits - for the patient, family members, staff and the ward as a whole.  Often the music would calm and soothe a patient who then might stop crying or become less restless, perhaps falling asleep.  This could change the atmosphere on a ward.  Sometimes medical staff would observe a drop in heart rate, or notice that a patient who previously wasn’t eating had started to eat during the music.  For others, the music engaged them in focused activity and helped to pass the time of being in hospital, for example attending weekly for regular treatment.  The music became something to look forward to on a Thursday.  A musical interaction could provide a valued opportunity for medical staff to have a conversation with parents.  Occasionally, the music would support a procedure such as a blood test or dressing change, resulting in the hospital staff and musicians working collaboratively in the holistic care of the patient.  There were notable special moments during the year:  a mother wanting us to be the first sounds heard by her baby with a newly fitted hearing aid; being the first music heard by babies in Neonatal and that song becoming important for the family; seeing the joy the music brought to those involved and those watching and listening.

The project also impacted on me as I developed musically, professionally and personally.  I adjusted to playing a tenoroon - a smaller version of a bassoon - and worked on the quality of the sound as well as getting to grips with transposing the songs.  As I learnt the repertoire, I developed skills in playing by ear, vocal harmonising and improvisation.  I learnt to have fun with the music which helped to make a connection with the participants.  Through Dave and Joe’s example and working alongside them,  I became aware of my body language and how to enter a space positively and sensitively, and developed confidence in making a musical offering in a variety of circumstances.

Working as a hospital musician has, without question, had an impact on my wider work as a musician and music teacher.  I have developed confidence and skills in my own improvising and now include improvisation in my 1-1 instrumental lessons.  These are joyful times when we can focus on the sounds and the music, without any barrier of notation.  I am also more aware of the need to make every individual 15-, 20- or 30-minute session count, from the way I greet the pupil at the beginning to how we end the session.  I am currently involved in a two-year project with reception children, supporting communication and social and emotional development through music.  During one of these sessions a couple of weeks ago, as I was sitting in the carpet area with a child with a selection of percussion instruments, I was mirroring and complementing the child’s imaginative ideas, and I felt I was making music with the child using skills I had developed through the project