Supportive Music for End of Life Comfort and Connection
The Hospice Music Therapy Program is made possible thanks to generous community partnerships and philanthropy. To learn more about donating to Hospice of the Piedmont, visit our giving page.
Music supports emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being for patients and families at end of life..
What is the Hospice Supportive Music Program?
Hospice of the Piedmont’s Supportive Music Program brings comfort and connection at end-of-life through three unique approaches: Certified Music Practitioners offer “Music as Care” at patients’ bedsides, tailoring therapeutic music to individual needs using instruments like the Celtic harp and guitar; The Front Porch celebrates music’s role in building community and fostering creative expression; and the Charlottesville Threshold Singers provide gentle harmonies and heartfelt songs at the bedsides of those who are ill or dying, honoring all spiritual paths. Together, these efforts nurture well-being and support individuals and families through life’s transitions.
Music By the Bedside
Music by the Bedside offers “Music as Care.” Our Certified Music Practitioners specialize in one-on-one interactions with hospice patients at every stage of their journey. They provide therapeutic music using the Celtic harp, guitar, mountain dulcimer, and voice. The music is tailored to the patient’s perceived needs in the moment and adjusted as the session progresses. Their repertoire includes diverse styles that often yield physical benefits and emotional and spiritual support. The patient is passive, simply receiving the music. Above all, the practitioners aim to be a loving and compassionate presence while offering this service.
The Front Porch
The Front Porch story began on an actual porch in 2015. The porch has become a significant touchstone for them, a place where people gather to visit, relax, tell stories, and share music. It symbolizes community in its most organic sense. Though they have come a long way since their beginnings, they remain committed to their mission: connecting everyone through music. The Front Porch was founded with the strong belief that music is a universal language that connects people, serving as a bridge between our past and future. Music allows us to express ourselves creatively and connect with others, creating the magic of creation in real time when experienced together.
The Charlottesville Threshold Singers
The Charlottesville Threshold Singers is a community of women who sing in harmony at the bedside of those who are ill and dying in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. Their songs convey simple messages of love, life, and healing. Gentle singing offers comfort and compassion for the dying and their caregivers. They sing in small groups of 3 to 4 at bedsides in private homes, hospices, and care facilities in Charlottesville. The group honors all spiritual paths and maintains no religious affiliations. Their songs convey quiet messages of love, life, and heart in very tender times.
This activity is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Hospice of the Piedmont welcomes skilled musicians to volunteer with our therapy programs, bringing comfort, connection, and calm to patients and families through live, therapeutic music. Volunteers work alongside our care team to support emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being at the bedside and in other care settings. If you’re a musician who wants to use your talents in a meaningful way, we invite you to learn more about volunteering with Hospice of the Piedmont and how your music can make a lasting difference.