In 2003,  Lelavision Physical Music, a small professional arts group based in Seattle, embarked upon an experimental music series in partnership with Harborview Medical Center Arts Program and the University of Washington Medical Center Artist in Residence Program. Both hospital art programs had historically emphasized the visual arts; the expansion into another discipline would provide the opportunity to directly evaluate the benefits of increased interaction with artists and the role of music as a restorative source within these institutions. Conceived as a yearlong, bi-weekly series called Integrated Music, the program was developed to provide intimate and participatory musical experiences for patients and their families in key areas of the hospital.  A small amount of funding to pay the artists a fair wage was secured by Leah Mann and Ela Lamblin, the founders of Lelavision, and a match was provided on a pilot basis by the Harborview Medical Center Community Service League.

Lelavision created a roster of acoustic musicians.  The selected artists perform on a wide range of instruments, many of which are international or ethnic in origin to reflect the diverse patient population. The roster also includes the "Lullabye League", a team that sings improvised harmonies, folk songs and classics from around the world. For demonstration purposes during the first year, all participating artists agreed to play on a rotating schedule so that the value of consistency and familiarity might be measured. During that year they performed in lobbies and public areas, but also provided personal musical experiences with patients who sought them.  Musicians were available to play during the passing of a patient, in the recovery room or in physical therapy. The selected unamplified musicians have been encouraged to interact with patients, visitors, and hospital staff.

The collaboration is considered an enormous and somewhat unanticipated success. Working together with the hospital sites and through the mentorship of the Center for Health in Arts Education Research and Shands Arts in Medicine Program at the University of Florida, the program has continually been refined. Most of the refining is based upon direct feedback from patients and clinical staff.  Feedback will be incorporated ongoing, as it is no easy feat to be successful in the high-intensity trauma center atmosphere of hospitals. But most importantly, we have witnessed the positive impacts the program can achieve.  Testimonies from both patients and caregivers about the way the Integrated Music Program has been received and valued have poured in.  We will continue the program based upon patient and staff demand. The program is now fully funded by the participating hospitals.

Geographical Area Served: Seattle and the surrounding 5 counties 

Supported by The Bossak Heilbron Family Foundation, The Puffin Foundation, King County Special Projects Grant, The Center for Healthcare Arts Education Research and designated funds from Harborview and UW Medical Centers.