Volunteers: Play in Friendship

Peabody musicians volunteers

When they perform monthly in Hopkins Children’s lobby, Peabody musicians can’t see most of their young audience, but they know many are listening to the music streamed into hospital rooms above. It’s a “very powerful experience to perform for an audience that is going through so much just out of your view,” says Jessica Korotkin, a Peabody student and site coordinator for Peabody Conservatory’s Creative Access program.

These volunteers might perform on a viola, violin and renaissance harp one month, and a flute and two cellos the next. Music by Bach is a favorite, says Korotkin, given that it is “both complex and beautiful, and much of it doesn’t require piano.”

A student outreach program, Creative Access was launched at the Peabody in 2004 to create new opportunities to perform and share music with diverse audiences.

“Performing for the children at Johns Hopkins is a favorite activity,” Korotkin adds. “We want to make their lives a little better and play for them out of friendship with hope for a safe return home.”

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center? Contact volunteer services, 410-955-5924.

Photo above: Peabody students perform in the hospital's lobby monthly throughout the school year.

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