Dutch research funder SIA awarded the RCM £33,000 in summer 2019 for the ‘Professional Excellence in Meaningful Music in Healthcare’ strand of the larger trans-European RAAK-PRO grant. Lead researcher Dr Rosie Perkins from the Centre for Performance Science will examine the professional development of musicians and nurses through person-centred improvisation in hospital settings, alongside researchers from Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, The Netherlands and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, among others.
Dr Perkins will work extensively with musicians on the maternity wards at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and in partnership with CW+, the hospital’s charity as part of their Arts in Health programme, as well as RCM alumni and students, providing them with training and support for working with live music in hospital maternity settings. ProMiMiC investigates the professional development of musicians and nurses through person-centred improvisation in hospital settings, building on pioneering work developed by the research group Lifelong Learning in Music of the Hanzehogeschool Groningen and the University Medical Centre Groningen. Based on small groups of musicians playing person-centred improvisations for patients and nurses in hospital settings, the project offers musicians and nurses new opportunities for professional development.
Working in collaboration with partners across Europe, the RCM strand of the project will focus on musicians working in maternity wards at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The project includes the participation of RCM alumni and students, providing them with training and support for working with live music in hospital maternity settings and researching the impact of their engagement on learning, professionalization, and employability.
