Healing Through Music and a Requiem for Lives Lost
In November 2021, the AdventHealth Orchestra held its premiere performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “AdventHealth Requiem,” a rendition of Samuel Barber’s “The Adagio,” honored fellow team members who served on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic and remembered those who lost their lives to the virus.
Health care workers are used to lots of sounds: beeping monitors, humming machines, overhead pages, rolling patient beds. The AdventHealth Orchestra offers our physicians and clinicians the opportunity to make the sounds of music. Watch “AdventHealth Requiem: A Look Behind the Music,” and hear just a few of our team members’ stories and what this musical venture means to them.
Through music, the AdventHealth Orchestra is part of our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. Listen as AdventHealth Director of Music and the Arts, Richard Hickam, speaks about the origin of the group and how it’s helping team members and audiences feel whole.
In October 2023, The National Organization for the Arts in Health (NOAH) presented the AdventHealth Orchestra with the Arts Building Resilience award. NOAH said, “Our jury felt your work was exemplary for the entire field of Arts in Health.”
See How We Bring Music to Life
Where a Talent for Medicine Meets a Forte for Music
AdventHealth is home to some of the nation’s most brilliant medical minds — and our providers’ talents extend beyond the walls of our facilities. Bringing together the best of our musically talented team members and physicians in Greater Orlando, the AdventHealth Orchestra is the first of its kind in our nationwide health care system.
Our orchestra was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, when AdventHealth Director of Music and the Arts, Richard Hickam, sought to offer healing through music. He established our group with only string instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass. After a resounding virtual performance at the 2022 Conference on Mission, it grew to a full orchestra with woodwinds, brass and percussion musicians. New ensembles were created following the first live full orchestra performance at the 2023 Conference on Mission.
More than just a creative outlet, the AdventHealth Orchestra offers team members the opportunity to reflect, bond and feel whole together through music.