'Sharing Notes' brings live music to young patients

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Young professional musicians are sharing their passion with children and adults who have various disabilities in hospital settings.

Sharing Notes was created in 2012 by Allegra Montanari. She and her peers wanted to share their gift of music in places that weren't presented.

At La Rabida Childrens Hospital on Chicago's South side, young patients are enjoying the sounds of music.

"The healing of power of music isn't something that you can explain so much but you can see it," says Montanari. "Here at Larabida we perform for a lot of children who have delays."

All of the musicians volunteer their time.

"I don't have a therapeutic background. I'm purely professional musician conservatory trained."

"We all have passion for and a belief that music meant for more than the concert hall."

Michele Armand, a certified child life specialist, says the partnership has been a boon for young patients and their families.

"They are able to really respond well to the music and to participate actively through listening but also participating physically with being able to more their bodies swaying to the music," Armand says.

"We get everything from slower music, sometimes we play classical, and other times we will play Drake or Justin Bieber or Beyonce," says Montanari. "It's the full spectrum."

Sharing Notes comes to La Rabida Children's Hospital twice a month. They also visit a few other hospitals, and are looking to expand.

Learn more at http://www.sharing-notes.org/ and http://larabida.org/