UCSF Children's Hospital hosts music

## What:

UCSF Children’s Hospital will host a Music Day to officially launch the hospital’s music program through its Child Life Department. The celebration will include a full day of music activities, such as a hospital-wide drum circle, visits by musicians to children at their bedsides, instrument and recording lessons, and a strolling polka band, with jazz, West-African, rock and singer/songwriter performances throughout the day in the 6th floor courtyard.

Members of the media are invited to attend the drum circle, in which hand-made drums and shakers will be distributed to every child who wants to join, including those who cannot leave their hospital rooms. Staff also will play kazoos, drums and shakers.

## Where:

UCSF Children’s Hospital
505 Parnassus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94143

## When:

Wednesday, May 14
12:00 to 12:45 p.m.

## Why:

The day is part of a UCSF clinical pilot program using music to help patients reduce stress, anxiety and depression. UCSF Musician-in-Residence Gabe Turow was hired in March to create the program, through which he plays for patients and facilitates an instrument-lending program, so all interested patients can learn to play and record music during their hospitalization. A practicing musician and music teacher, Turow is a visiting scholar at Stanford University, researching the impact of music on the brain and nervous system.

## Interview, Photo and Audio/Video Opportunities:

Musician-in-Residence Gabe Turow, Child Life Director Michael Towne, visiting musicians, UCSF staff.

Media interested in attending should contact Kristen Bole at [email protected] or (415) 476-2557 to arrange entry to the Children’s Hospital.