Harmonizing Passions: The Northwestern Medical Orchestra's Melodic Journey

The Northwestern Medical Orchestra (NMO) is a vibrant community of students, faculty, and alumni who have found a harmonious intersection between their medical pursuits and their love for music. This ensemble, founded in 2018, has become a beacon of well-being, diversity, and community within the NU medical landscape, offering free performances that showcase the talents of its diverse members and celebrate the works of underrepresented composers.

Orchestrating a Harmonious Blend of Passions

Reclaiming the Musical Spark

For many members of the NMO, the orchestra has provided a cherished opportunity to rekindle their musical passions. Ania Holubecki, the NMO Publicity Manager and a second-year Ph.D. student in interdepartmental neuroscience, shares, "I thought that when I gave up making music and pursuing that as a career, I'd never have that space to do that in the way that I wanted to. The orchestra has provided me with that." The NMO has become a sanctuary where these medical professionals can nurture their artistic side, finding a harmonious balance between their academic and creative pursuits.

Fostering Well-being and Community

At the heart of the NMO's mission is the desire to support the well-being and community of the NU medical community through the power of live musical performance. Bettina Cheung, the NMO President and Co-Founder, emphasizes the orchestra's commitment to providing free concerts that promote equitable access to music. "NMO often plays works of underrepresented composers, including Black and female composers," she explains, underscoring the ensemble's dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Adapting to the Pandemic's Challenges

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the NMO faced unprecedented challenges, but the ensemble rose to the occasion. Cheung recounts, "We thought that it was really important to keep providing a musical opportunity for the community, especially because mental health became a serious issue during the pandemic." The orchestra pivoted to hosting virtual concerts and livestreaming performances, ensuring that their music could still reach the community, even when in-person gatherings were restricted.

Engaging with the Community

The NMO's commitment to the community extends beyond its concert halls. The ensemble hosts an annual concert for patients at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, bringing their musical talents directly to those in need. "It's a nice way to engage with the patients in a way that's not related to their medical care and provide them with a way to, not forget about their medical care, but keep their mind off of things for a little bit and just be able to sit and enjoy," explains Holubecki.

A Harmonious Respite from Academic Rigors

For the NMO's members, the orchestra provides a much-needed respite from the demands of their academic and medical pursuits. Milan Parikh, a second-year M.D.-Ph.D. student and the NMO's Vice President, shares, "It's always a highlight of my week to go to NMO for two hours a week and get to engage a very different part of my brain. It's a time that I get to stop what I'm doing, whether it be science or math or research related, and place in music, which is a really great checkpoint for me."

Fostering Connections and Mentorship

Beyond the musical experience, the NMO has also become a hub for community and mentorship. Parikh notes that he often helps first-year medical students in his section prepare for exams or provides them with advice on their schoolwork, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.As the NMO prepares for another year of musical performances and community engagement, Cheung's words resonate: "The orchestra will continue to be a place for students to connect with people inside and outside the healthcare setting." The harmonious blend of passions, well-being, and community that the NMO embodies serves as a testament to the transformative power of music in the lives of medical professionals.