'Holy Cross musicians help soothe souls at St. Vincent psych unit'

A recent Telegram & Gazette article showcases College of the Holy Cross junior Tiffany Holland ’16 in her efforts to bring musical spirit to the psychiatric unit at St. Vincent Hospital.  With the help of Christine Case, volunteer coordinator at St. Vincent, Holland was able to combine her passion for music and her desire to help people and create the program Holy Cross Music Therapy.

Holland, a Texas native, has been playing the violin since the 5th grade and now majors in psychology and participates in the pre-med program.  "Pre-med makes it easy to over-focus on academics," says Holland.  "This provides balance. When I came here, I really wanted to continue my violin, but I found that it might be too demanding to join an orchestra on campus."

Holland says she sees a real difference in the patients when she plays, “I feel that I've seen patients really experience some emotions when we play some of the more classical music. They really feel it. For some of the patients, it may be their first time to really hear stringed instruments, especially that close.”

The group, consisting of 10 members, visits St. Vincent Hospital twice weekly for hour-long visits, where members have entertained with voice, violin, guitar, ukulele and more in a common space in the locked unit.

Click here to read the full article.

This “Holy Cross in the News” item by Jacqueline Smith ’15.