Hospital Sessions musicians
Hospital Sessions is an ongoing live music programme of musical interventions in public and clinical areas across Newcastle Hospitals, to enhance the patient experience and benefit staff wellbeing.
Five professional musical acts each perform regularly across the RVI, Freeman Hospital and community sites, performing in bays, cubicles and day rooms, playing a range of music responding to the environment and the mood of the audience.
Listening to music has been proven to have positive effects on our health and wellbeing, with research demonstrating that music can elevate mood, improve memory and cognitive function, reduce anxiety and biological stress markers and lower blood pressure.
Meet the musicians
With a progressive twist to her music, Ceitidh Mac is an alt.folk singing / cellist, tipped by Jude Rogers as a ‘Fascinating new Welsh-born, Tyneside-dwelling singer-songwriter and cellist, with an unusual, stunning voice.’ Absorbing in its originality, Ceitidh Mac creates songs that soar with contemporary arrangements / instrumentation playing with live and electronic elements, whilst having a prominent folk influence.
Learn moreOne of the standout qualities of Dave Gray and Jon Doran’s music is the comfort that it exudes. Energy is the lifeblood of a great performance and they’re two of the most versatile musicians on the Newcastle folk scene. Their live shows are a whirlwind of enthusiasm, seamlessly blending upbeat rhythms with reflective stories, and their audiences find themselves swept away into another world. Their music encapsulates a sense of familiarity and warmth that resonates deeply with anyone who listens.
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist from Kenya, Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno is a virtuoso of the nyatiti, a traditional eight-string lyre from the shores of Nam Lolwe (Lake Victoria). The music he creates is deeply rooted in traditional storytelling from the Lüo community, nilotes who settled in Western Kenya and who are known to play the nyatiti.
Director and driving force behind Nyatiti NyaDala, Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno is a fervent advocate of traditional East African music and culture. He brings his energy, knowledge and experience to promote wellbeing while sharing about culture and music from his home Western Kenya.
Learn moreSimon Wood is multi percussionist from Newcastle that specialises in playing an instrument – the Handpan – that looks and sounds out of this world.
The handpan is made of steel, looks like a UFO and is played with the fingers. Simon combines rhythm and groove with melodies and hooks to create in-the-moment music that can go from super chilled out and relaxing to driving and tribal.
The handpan draws people in as it has a mesmerising sound. Simon has been playing these instruments since 2007 and plays all over the UK and abroad at festivals, events weddings and in community and health settings.
Learn moreLiz Corney and Nicky Rushton have been playing music together since 2017; leading Gateshead’s Care Home choir for Equal Arts with up to 70 residents and staff. They run singing and songwriting sessions playing a selection of music across the decades.
Nicky plays guitar, keys and sings in the brilliant and hysterical covers band ‘ The Camp Vamps’ as well as making her own music with Mush Collective.
Liz plays keyboards and sings with alt folk band The Cornshed Sisters who have released two albums on Memphis Industries and Field Music with whom she has toured nationally and internationally. She has just released her debut album.
Both Nicky and Liz are engaging and enthusiastic performers who love connecting with people through chatting, singing and laughing.