Music at The Hospital for Sick Children

A few months ago, I was asked if I would like to join some of my wonderful, fellow Tinderbox musicians and do some music sessions at the Sick Kids Hospital.

As things are only just getting less restricted, I was a bit unsure of how the sessions would run- luckily I had Rhys to show me how it’s done. I was able to shadow him for a session and we had SO MUCH FUN. We duet-ed loads of different styles of songs, visited and performed in different wards and even had a sing and dance along with the nurses!

In my first session without Rhys, I was nervous! I was unsure about what music I should play or how to ask people if they even wanted music. I was worried about playing too many songs or being too loud until I walked into a ward and met two 5 year old girls. We decided to form a girl band (as someone who DREAMED of being a Spice Girl, this was very exciting for me) and we  danced, sang and then debated the best character from ‘Frozen’ and it was wonderful.

Another memorable session was when I gave a baby in the PICU one of our shakers to shake whilst I played and sang some songs. She held onto it for so long that I almost ran out of songs (!) and when I came back the next week, her Grandma had gotten her, her own!

I think what I have learned so far through these sessions is that each week is so different and that you really can’t plan what’s going to happen- which, although slightly daunting, is really exciting! I’m really looking forward to fully finding my feet with it and to continue to share wonderful moments through music!

By Claire Docherty