Hospitals across Australia are encouraging children to make noise as they highlight the healing power of music.
Sydney Children's Hospital has held 'music therapy jam sessions' to highlight spotlight the many benefits of active music making.
The jam sessions, held in the hospital foyer, kick off a series of events being held around Australia.
Tina Broad, national campaign manager for 'Music. Play for Life' says music making is great fun and beneficial for everyone, not just those with a musical background.
"One of the things that people say is a barrier to them getting involved in music is that they think that they can't do it, that they'll never be able to do it, because it's something that only people with a particular 'gift' can do."
"But music has great benefits for a person's well being even as a recreation. Just do it!"
Music therapy in hospitals has been shown to distract a patient from physical pain, elevate the mood and lift self-esteem.
Involvement in music sessions encourages sick children to interact with each other and their carers and also provides a break to the monotony of hospital life for patients' families.
The events being held around Australia include musicians from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing at Royal North Shore Hospital on Friday May 16, jam sessions in nursing homes, sing-a-longs in shopping malls and a hospital staff kazoo choir.
