In March 2020, the world began to see images of patients with COVID-19 dying alone. Their loved ones were unable to visit, and hospital teams were exhausted from the demands of the pandemic. 

A group of harpists, all music-thanatologists or therapeutic musicians, knew we could help. We had spent our careers playing music for patients with serious illness in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice units and private homes. Now patients needed comfort, beauty, and a compassionate presence more than ever.

But how could we play music when we could not bring our harps anywhere near the hospital rooms? 

Harps of Comfort was born out of this question. We provide remote music to isolated patients; those with COVID-19 and other serious illness; patients nearing the end of life; as well as loved ones and caregivers.Using the gentle vibrations of harp and voice, our highly-trained therapeutic musicians offer individually tailored, live music sessions with compassionate, loving presence.  

Of course, not every patient has access to this type of live, remote music. It requires technical support and set-up in the patient room, a tablet or other machine where the patient can see the harpist and hear the music, and a strong internet connection. 

But thanks to the generous donations that support Harps of Comfort, we are already playing at two hospitals at no cost to patients or their loved ones. Our harpists are on call weekday afternoons. In the coming year, we hope to grow our mission and increase the number of patients we serve. 

Donors to Harps of Comfort will receive updates about our work and occasional invitations to special musical events we host online. To experience the power of this music, please visit our website and enjoy one of five videos of beautiful harp music paired with natural images: https://harpsofcomfort.com/harp-videos/