In April 2014, AIM volunteer coordinator and musician, Ferol Carytsas, set the goal to launch a UF Health music ensemble within the next three years. She was inspired by similar programs at the University of Michigan and Duke University and used them as a reference for establishing the UF Health music ensemble. Recognizing that so many medical professionals have a background in the arts, Ferol contacted UF Health Communications and began a recruitment campaign among staff. Her first recruit was Linda Morris, M.S.N., R.N., NE-BC, a UF Health Shands Hospital SAGE nurse. Recruitment efforts were slow, but in the course of a year, Ferol was able to recruit ten musicians consisting of UF Health faculty, staff, students and alumni. In May 2016, the UF Health music ensemble debuted a program featuring works from Vivaldi to Coldplay. Since their first performance, they have presented two concerts a semester.
The requirements to participate in the ensemble are that musicians are able to commit to the rehearsal schedule, they have previous musical experience, and the ability to read sheet music. The ensemble rehearses every other week on Tuesdays between 5-6:30pm. At present, the ensemble consists only of string musicians, but one of the long term goals is to eventually expand the ensemble to become a full orchestra. Ferol says, “It’s about building community and coming together in a creative and non-threatening environment.”
To participate in the ensemble, please complete this form: http://artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/2015/07/15/staff-music-project/ or contact Ferol Carytsas at fcarytsas@arts.ufl.edu
UF Health News & Notes feature: http://news-notes.ufhealth.org/2016/06/09/making-musical-connections/