Upstate Cancer Center to host performances by Syracuse University musicians
SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- The Upstate Cancer Center is partnering with Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music to provide live music performances in the cancer center atrium. The small ensembles set to perform will include students and faculty from the Setnor School.
“This relationship benefits the students by offering them a place to share their art, and our patients by giving them a distraction that lessens the stress of their situation,” explained Matthew Capogreco, program and events coordinator, Upstate Cancer Center. “Music in the atrium fills our facility and corresponds with our philosophy of healing mind, body and soul.”
Musicians from Healing Harmonies and Symphoria also perform in the Upstate Cancer Center Atrium. When live music is not scheduled a player piano, donated in part by the Abundant Life Christian Center, fills the space with music.
“The Therapeutic Music Program at Upstate plays an important role in helping to create a healing environment for patients through the therapeutic use of live music,” said Victoria Krukowski, coordinator of Therapeutic Music Program at the cancer center. “Music has the ability to lift the spirits of patients undergoing treatment, with the overall intent to make the patients’ journey a little easier.”
The students are required to log a set number of performances as part of their curriculum. Performances at the Upstate Cancer Center have been approved for inclusion in that tally. The setting provides a unique set of challenges for the students, which will add to the depth of their education.
“Performing at the Upstate Cancer Center is a truly unique and challenging experience for select Setnor musicians,” said Joshua DeKaney, director of Career Development Center at Setnor School. “The students need to be as thoughtful as ever when selecting repertoire and care must be taken when choosing instrumentation so as not to overtake the space with sound.
The student performances are expected to begin Nov. 4.
