Celebrating Burns Night with live music in hospitals and care

This year our professional musicians will once again share special live music experiences to commemorate Burns Night.

25 January marks the birthday of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) and is celebrated annually in Scotland. The gathering usually involves a Burns supper of haggis, neeps and tatties, where people share the songs and poems of Robert Burns to celebrate his lasting legacy.

This year live music will take place in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Paisley, bringing together patients, families, and healthcare staff to share in the timeless tradition of Burns’ poetry and music. Our musician John Davidson visits Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen on 24 January to share classic Burns favourites, such as Auld Lang Syne and My Love is Like a Red Red Rose.

“Music reaches the parts that conversation doesn’t. Burns Night is such a great way to bring people together through music,” says John. “But there’s also talk about the past and people’s past experiences. There are memories from childhood or memories of those who have passed on. Many of the songs will be familiar to any age group in Scotland. And for people in hospitals, I think there is familiarity, that sense of home when you might not actually be at home.”

Kirstyn Knowles, Music in Hospitals & Care’s Live Music Manager for Scotland, adds: “Sharing music for people’s Burns celebrations is something we are very proud of. It creates a way for people to connect or reconnect with the rich cultural heritage that shapes our identities in Scotland. For many generations, the songs and poems are woven through our lives and can evoke special memories. For those less familiar, you can quickly get lost in the beautiful melodies and imagery of Robert Burns.”

Burns Night and music hold special significance in creating meaningful moments for people in hospitals and care and their families. Studies have shown that live music can improve wellbeing and create moments of joy for patients and caregivers alike. Listening to music can reduce stress and make people feel calmer, which can help them recover from serious illness. It can also help patients on ventilators by lowering their heart rate and blood pressure.

Music in Hospitals & Care is honoured to be a part of this rich tradition that demonstrates the power of music in bringing communities together. Sharing in this moves us further towards our vision that everyone can access and experience the joy of live music.