Detroit Medical Orchestra: Saving Lives And The Music
DETROIT (WWJ) - A group of white coats are doing more than saving lives -- they're saving the music. A special concert is being put on by more than 50 area doctors and members of the medical community, WWJ's Kathryn Larson reports.
Fighting cancer with classical music isn't uncommon, according to Beaumont Radiation Oncologist Resident Victor Mangona.
"Actually a lot of procedural physicians utilize music every day at work. And this isn't very well-known by the public, but it's a standard, a common practice by physicians. So, I do use music every day. It makes my hours more calm and enjoyable," he said.
(Video credit to Young Key Chung/DMO)
And when the day is done, Dr. Mangona pulls out his violin, along with dozens of others from the medical community, thanks to the Detroit Medical Orchestra.
"We have bassoons, oboes and we're just continuing to grow in every area, particularly in our viola section, which is very exciting for us. We have a number of violas, but we have a number of basses. We have a full symphony," Mangona said.
Over the past two years, the non-profit symphony has held three free concerts. As this Sunday marks their fourth performance -- and Dr. Mangona said it's one you don't want to miss -- the group will be performing Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto."
"The music has so much more breath and has so much more meaning. It's like reading a book or watching a movie, it has so much more too it," Mangona said.
Members of the Detroit Medical Orchestra, which include Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center staff, will take the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium, 450 Reuther Mall in Detroit.
Any proceeds benefit Wayne State University School of Medicine's Horizon Project -- focused on providing services to HIV positive and at-risk youth up to 24 years old.
