LEXINGTON, Ky. — Throughout December, the University of Kentucky will have over 55 live holiday performances at its hospitals for patients and staff.

What You Need To Know

  •  On Monday, singers from the "University of Kentucky Opera Theatre" sang holiday songs at a UK hospital

  •  Staff members and patients stopped in the lobby to listen to the carolers

  •  This is one of several performances that the university's Arts in HealthCare Program has planned for the month of December

  • Performances will continue through the end of December to bring some holiday cheer to UK hospitals

Several UK staff members stopped in the Albert B. Chandler Hospital lobby area to listen to the UK Opera Theatre Carolers. There were also patients who took a moment to enjoy the music.

This is one of several initiatives UK HealthCare has taken to utilize art for healing and is part of the university’s Arts in HealthCare Program.

“No one wants to be in the hospital during the holidays, or really at all,” said Sarah Timmons, the program’s specialist. “Having music in the hospital provides a little bit of comfort and peace.”

People gathered in the lobby to listen to the carolers. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas)

It’s viewed as a positive for staff members working around the holidays as well who are also away from their families.

“It’s beautiful and it’s a lovely thing for us to be able to come down and listen to during the day and get away from our desks and enjoy the holiday festivities,” said Mary Cropper, an administrative coordinator with UK HealthCare.

Performances at the UK hospitals will continue through the end of December. Find a full schedule of performances online.

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