Medical Students and Professionals Switch Hats for Musical Concert

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) MusiCare will host “Play It Forward,” a recital of classical and pop music performed by TTUHSC faculty and students, at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Texas Tech University School of Music Hemmle Recital Hall located at 18th Street and Akron Avenue.

MusiCare started with a group of TTUHSC medical students who loved music and wanted to use it to give back to the community. The group has grown to more than 30 students and now includes students from all TTUHSC schools. The group was founded three years ago to emphasize the unification of two passions that each member shares, music and health care.

Asha Davidson, second-year medical student and MusiCare president, said Play It Forward is one way to continue the tradition among TTUHSC students and the community.

“MusiCare grows musicians by bringing them together,” Davidson said. “This event is one way to bring music performed by our students and faculty to the community.”

Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Lubbock and the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Supportive Care Unit at UMC Health System. Last year, Play It Forward raised more than $7,000. Donations will be accepted as admission to the event.

“Dr. Harry Weitlauf, who was the chairman of the TTUHSC cell biology and biochemistry department for more than 30 years, was such a wonderful professor and meant so much to the medical students,” Davidson said. “We wanted to give back to something that was close to his heart which is the Hope Lodge. We’re also excited that the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Supportive Care Unit will be using our donations to build a music library for the patients staying there. Music therapy can bring comfort to those who are in palliative care.”

Music will include contemporary pop music, Broadway music, and classical pieces like:

"Being Alive" from the musical Company - composed by Stephen Sondheim
(vocals, violin, flute, piano)

"Hallelujah" as written by Leonard Cohen

Allegro from Sinfonia II - composed by J.C. Bach
(Clarinet Choir)

Symphony No. 9 from New World Symphony - composed by Antonin Dvorak
(Saxophone Ensemble)

"La Noyee" as featured in the movie, Amelie - composed by Yann Tiersen
(accordion, violin)

"I'm Your Angel" as performed by Celine Dion & R. Kelly
(vocals, piano)

"When I'm Gone" as featured in the movie, Pitch Perfect - arranged by Joel Mariano, composed by A.P. Carter & Luisa Gerstein
(vocals, percussion)

"The Prayer" - composed by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa, Tony Renis
(vocals, piano)

Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Opus 23 - composed by Frédéric Chopin
(piano)

For more information, email Davidson at asha.davidson@ttuhsc.edu.

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