In March 2025, CUH Arts collaborated with Addenbrooke’s Critical Care Nursing team and internationally renowned chamber orchestra Britten Sinfonia to bring live music into the intensive care environment. The aim was to understand the impact of live music on the experience of patients and staff.
During the residency, Sinfonia Musicians Sarah O’Flynn (flute) and Bridget Carey (viola) led by facilitator and cellist Sam Glazer worked with patients at their bedsides to create new music. The musicians engaged patients with improvisation, and percussive instruments available for patients to play. The sessions focused on patients’ capabilities during illness and aimed to humanise their experience by connecting them with something outside of their medical experience.
A group of nurses support patients and families during and after critical care based on NICE Guidance (CG83) for rehabilitation after critical illness. The lead contacts for this project were Critical Care Nurse Specialist's Sian Ingham and Krissy Pride.
ICU Residency, March 2025
Playing by the bedside together
Britten Sinfonia musicians co-create music with an ICU patient and her family member.
ICU Residency, March 2025
Music making with percussion
Britten Sinfonia musicians co-create music with an ICU patient and her family member.
Conference
British Association of Critical Care Nurses National Conference
Musical Medicine: The Impact of Live Music Engagement on ICU Patients, Families, and Staff, presented by Krissy Pride and Sian Ingham.
BACCN Conference 2025 (opens in a new tab)Critical Care NurseYou could visually see people's vital signs improving when they were playing music...Patients’ respiratory rates were more settled…more or less every patient there seemed to have a new level of alertness, which they didn't have when we walked in.
Krissy Pride
Blog
Britten Sinfonia Blog
Melodies of Healing: humanising critical care through music by Sian Ingham.
Read Sian's blog (opens in a new tab)Critical Care NurseI noticed facial expressions were completely different...The eye contact, the smiling, clapping to a beat… looking at their relatives...It brought people to life a little bit.
Sian Ingham
Panel Discussion
Using Live Music to Enhance the ICU Experience Panel Discussion
A panel discussion featuring representatives from Britten Sinfonia, CUH Arts and critical care nursing specialists at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Watch here (opens in a new tab)Britten Sinfonia MusicianMembers of staff found joy for themselves and relief and release through playing music with us, it was wonderful to see.
Sarah O'Flynn
Podcast
Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast
Episode 204: Britten Sinfonia at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Listen here (opens in a new tab)Patient ParticipantI was feeling sad and anxious during the week, but the musical session brought me to the present. I remembered how much I enjoy creativity. I felt positive, confident, calm, content and had a lot of fun and laughs.
Patient on ICU Ward
Article
BBC Music Magazine, Classical Music
Hospitals are using music to ease pain and depression in patients.
Read the article here (opens in a new tab)Visitor ParticipantMade me feel really happy and emotional. Our Mum was tired and disconnected before the music but completely came alive after, she was so happy. It was beautiful.
Family member of ICU Patient
Exhibition
Brighter, Happier, Calmer, More Connected
An exhibition spotlighting CUH Arts' partnership with Britten Sinfonia.
On display Jun - Oct 2025 (opens in a new tab)Patient ParticipantI really enjoyed the music session, it lifted my mood. I engaged with my emotions and was surprised how this made me feel.
Patient on ICU Ward
Short Video
Britten Sinfonia ICU Residency
ICU Patient John and Critical Care Nurse Krissy Pride share their experience of the Britten Sinfonia residency.
Watch here (opens in a new tab)ICU Staff MemberIt was delightful, uplifting and emotional. The interaction with the patients had a visibly positive effect.
CUH Staff member on ICU Ward
CUH Arts is a proud partner of Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia