Sean Brennan
Peabody Preparatory Faculty Artist in Healthcare
Guitar, with foundations in classical and folk
Sound Rounds
“In such an artificial and inhumane environment, it is unbelievably refreshing to have a moment of humanity offered by this program.”
-Sound Rounds listener
Peabody’s Sound Rounds program brings trained musicians to patients’ bedsides to provide comfort and companionship through music. The Sound Rounds program began as a partnership in 2018 between the Peabody Institute and the Johns Hopkins Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Councils. Since then, Sound Rounds has grown to place musicians bedside across the Johns Hopkins Healthcare system.
Bedside musical services are delivered through in-person visits on hospital units and impromptu performances in hallways and waiting areas, and span the genres of classical, jazz, musical theater, bluegrass, country, rock, gospel, R&B, American Songbook, and American Roots music. Sound Rounds musicians can also connect remotely with patients (via Zoom or other technology) according to patient/family preference or when required due to hospital visitation policies.
The benefits of this program, based on survey and anecdotal feedback, extend to musicians and hospital staff as well as patients and family, and include improvements in mood, motivation, and energy, and feelings of comfort and value.
Sound Rounds Musicians
Sean Brennan
Abram Mamet
Peabody Preparatory Faculty Artist in Healthcare
French Horn, with foundations in jazz and free improvisation
Nicole Okundaye
Peabody Preparatory Faculty Artist in Healthcare
Voice and ukulele, with foundations in classical, jazz, American songbook, Motown, rock, and pop
Jonathan Vocke
Peabody Preparatory Faculty Artist in Healthcare
Guitar, banjo, fiddle, and vocals, with foundations in American roots, jazz, country, and old-time
Tamara Wellons
Peabody Preparatory Faculty Artist in Healthcare
Sound Rounds Artist Training and Mentorship Partner
Voice, with foundations in gospel, r&b, musical theater, and house
The Peabody Institute is not currently taking applications for Sound Rounds musicians. Interested musicians can see requirements for the position below for when applications are being accepted.
Hospital orientation, training and compliance with all hospital policies including masking and vaccination requirements are required to work with patients in a healthcare context.
Additional requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree in music education or performance or equivalent professional experience
- Minimum age: 21
- Open to a range of solo acoustic instruments
- Artistic excellence
- Personal and artistic flexibility in order to respond to a variety of patient backgrounds, tastes, and physical and emotional states
- A broad repertoire spanning several genres (e.g. classical, jazz, folk, gospel, music theater, contemporary, etc.)
- Strong collaboration skills required with healthcare staff and Sound Rounds program supervisor
- Empathy, the ability to be present
- A strong desire to be of service – understanding that it’s not about the artist
- Effective and professional communication in speaking and writing
- Teaching and/or community engagement experience
- A knowledge of/experience with healthcare culture
- Reliable transport to and within Baltimore City and/or Washington, DC, as appropriate
- Competence with technology and computer skills
- For remote meetings: access to and ability to use Zoom technology, reliable internet connection
In addition, skills in improvisation, songwriting, collaborative composition, and/or other art forms are highly desirable.
For more information about the program, please contact [email protected].