Playing music for others does not typically come with the intention of lulling them to sleep. However, when Coppell High School club Music for Medicine performs for the elderly, it is a common sign of relaxation when audience members doze off.
“During one performance, a woman fell asleep in front of us,” said sophomore Ishani Tamma. “The activities director told us beforehand that it’s a good sign–it means she’s relaxed. Afterward, we learned she played piano professionally in her 20s and 30s. It was a full-circle moment that made us grateful for our work.”
Coppell sophomore Sahana Kumar founded Music for Medicine in September, and the club’s first recital took place in November at Coppell Senior and Community Center. Music for Medicine applies a passion for music to help the elderly community with relaxation.
“I’ve played violin and sung since I was young, and I became interested in music therapy after researching it,” Kumar said. “The idea for the group came when I visited nursing homes with my cousin and played music for residents.”
Sophomore vice president Ravali Mocharla shares a similar passion.
“I first performed at a senior center when I was eight through my music school,” Mocharla said. “It taught me what kind of music the elderly enjoy, songs that are peaceful and calming.”
Music for Medicine has six officers and a rotating group of participants. To decide who plays at each event, they ask for volunteers who have prepared pieces. Potential musicians rehearse and submit videos to sophomore music manager Ava Hong for review.
They have performed at three senior centers across DFW: Coppell Senior Center, Lakeview at Josey Ranch Senior Living and Rockbrook Assisted Living and Memory Care Centers. There are two more performances projected before the end of the school year.
On Jan. 25, the group played at Lakeview at Josey Ranch Senior Living. The event included singers, an oboist, a flutist, a guitarist and a collaboration with Coppell Beyond the Surface program, who educated the audience about anxiety.

“We saw their purpose statement was something that really resonated with our HOSA team and also just with our hearts in general,” junior Anju Anand said. “Today, I had to fill in and perform because someone couldn’t make it. Being able to sing for a community like this for the first time made me really happy.”
The recital was received with enthusiasm, as the residents smiled along and expressed gratitude.
“I love listening to them and each one is so individual and confident,” Lakeview senior resident Kathy Massie said. “I feel so blessed that each of them is willing to take part of their day to perform for us. At Lakeview, we feel lucky.”
Certain audience members related to the experience on a more personal level.
“It’s very nice that teenagers want to give up their Saturday night. To me, it was uplifting because it sounded bright and cheery,” Lakeview senior resident Sandy Hamilton said. “I had not heard that music before, but I enjoyed it especially because I played the clarinet.”
Many of the musicians hope to extend branches of the club to other districts to publicize the cause.
“I see this club expanding a lot because I know it aligns with a lot of people’s interests because it appeals to medicine and music, so I feel like this is a good way to bridge that gap,” sophomore flutist Nitya Tyagi said.
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