For many years, the Stairwell Project has been filling the hallways of RBWH with beautiful, calming music from their talented musicians. From string quartets to drummers, solo harpists to trumpet players, the Stairwell Project is driven by the notion that music can contribute to healing and improve the wellbeing of patients and staff alike.

Michael Konpf (middle right) and his fellow Stairwell Project musicians at RBWH

Thanks to the generous support from the RBWH Cancer Care team, RBWH Foundation and additional donors, the Stairwell Project is continuing to expand their presence at the hospital both in the Cancer Care building and throughout main thoroughfares.

Stairwell Project Founder and CEO Peter Breen previously worked as a radiologist at RBWH, where he came up with the concept for the initiative.

“I used to walk up and down the stairs of the hospital during my lunch break as a form of exercise and noticed the amazing acoustics of the space,” Peter said.

“I have a musical background so I understand the positive impact music can have on an individual. I knew RBWH patients and staff would benefit from live music, so it was here the concept of the Stairwell Project was born.

“Many of our musicians have been playing at RBWH for a number of years now and say they have been changed forever by their experience of playing at the hospital.”

One of these musicians is Michael Konpf, who has been playing guitar at RBWH for two and a half years.

“I was recently playing on level four in Cancer Care, where I noticed a man reading his book. After we finished playing, he came up to us and said he was waiting to go into his chemotherapy treatment and was feeling very sad and depressed about it. He told us that as soon as we started playing, his entire mood changed and he felt braver and more confident to go in for his treatment,” Michael said.

“We often receive feedback like this. Music takes people to a different place.

“I love using my skills to create human connection, and always come away from playing at RBWH feeling better than when I arrived.”

Thank you to the Stairwell Project musicians for making RBWH a brighter place.