Music to patients’ ears

Music to patients’ ears

UF Health Staff Music Ensemble will rehearse in the FAB education center. They perform twice per year in the hospital.

UF Health Staff Music Ensemble will rehearse in the FAB education center. They perform twice per year in the hospital.

UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine recently launched a program uniting faculty, staff and students in musical harmony. The pilot UF Health Staff Music Ensemble, shown here in rehearsal, made its debut in the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium in May. “It’s a component that’s been missing from our program,” said Ferol Carytsas, UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine volunteer coordinator. “I have dreams of expanding the ensemble. It’s a matter of finding and engaging staff members and physicians.” The only requirement to join the ensemble is musical experience — whether it’s from college, primary school or elsewhere — and the ability to read sheet music. All faculty, staff, alumni and students are welcome. Carytsas leads rehearsals every other Tuesday from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the UF Health Shands Facilities Administration Building off Newell Drive and hopes to expand the instrumentation. — Jimmy McLaughlin