December 12, 2019 (Jackson, Miss.) - The Belhaven Marching Band brought some holiday cheer to patients at Children's of Mississippi Hospital. Even with the pressures of finals week, students and Belhaven's Director of Marching and Pep Bands Casey Kirk gave the gift of Christmas music.
“We played Christmas carols on each of the four floors of the hospitals. Doctors, nurses, families, and patients were all able to see and hear us,” said Kirk. They performed classic Christmas carols from “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” to “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angel Sing.”
“Children and their families came out of their rooms and into the hallways to listen,” recounts Kirk. “Parents of children who couldn't get out of bed would even open the doors to their rooms so they could hear the music.”
Kirk said he saw many of the families, nurses, and doctors singing the words as they played the carols. “Those words and the music behind them are a reflection of the power of the Word of God. In a way, playing timeless Christmas carols that reflect scripture is a way to share the Gospel, and that is ultimately what we wanted to bring to everyone,” adds Kirk.
This was the first time Mary Lynn Wolfe, a music education major, has performed in such a unique way. Her primary instrument is the piano, but plays the tenor saxophone for the marching band. “I've never played music at a hospital, and it proved to be a very rewarding experience,” said Wolfe. “Our musical abilities come from God, and we are to be good stewards of our gifts and use them to serve others. I hope that the Christmas music made the children excited about the upcoming holiday season and was an encouragement for them in the midst of their illness.”
Kirk believes that music is a gift that can bring healing and, he hopes that the music played was able to strengthen the families and the patients. “It's always a great opportunity to get out and into the community, and give back to others because music has given so much to us,” added Kirk.