Heads nod and toes wiggle as caregivers—and even the tiniest of patients— experience the healing powers of live classical music through a series of intimate “gratitude performances” conducted by the New Jersey Symphony.
Supported by a Music & Wellness grant from Johnson & Johnson, the 2026 Gratitude Performances for Health Workers series started in May during National Nurses Month and Mental Health Awareness Month and is running through the end of the year, bringing the power of music directly into healthcare settings. This special music series recognizes the invaluable contributions nurses and healthcare teams make across New Jersey while also emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being for caregivers working in high-stress environments.
“Johnson & Johnson is proud of our longstanding support for the New Jersey Symphony, which brings music directly into care environments where it can have a real human impact,” said Chris Guiton, Head of Home State Initiatives, Johnson & Johnson. “The Gratitude Performances help foster moments of comfort, reflection, and emotional restoration for patients, families, and healthcare teams, while also recognizing the extraordinary dedication of those working on the front lines of care.”
Now in its fifth year, the 2026 Gratitude Performances are being held at 12 sites, including a mix of new and returning locations, with a continued presence in New Brunswick and an expanded footprint in southern New Jersey. The initiative underscores both the vital role nurses play in patient care and the importance of supporting their mental and emotional health amid the demands of the profession.
“The New Jersey Symphony is proud of the work we do in so many communities across New Jersey, including health care environments where our musicians perform, bringing their energy and talent to patients and staff, which in turn brings calm to often stressful situations,” said Terry D. Loftis, New Jersey Symphony President and CEO. “We extend our deepest gratitude to all nurses and healthcare workers who provide excellent care to every patient, particularly at the facilities where our musicians regularly perform. We also thank Johnson & Johnson for its generous support of our Music and Wellness program.”
The NJ Symphony ensemble has made several stops at hospitals, health centers, and a nursing school – being well-received by staff.
“Live music has a unique ability to shift the energy of a clinical environment in a positive way,” said D’Juana Clark, APN, lead APN supervisor, the Women’s Health Center at Saint Peter’s Family Health Center. “The New Jersey Symphony’s performance at Saint Peter’s Family Health Center provided a restorative experience for both employees and patients.”
“Having the New Jersey Symphony come to Rutgers–Camden is incredibly meaningful for both our faculty and students,” said Dean Nickitas of the Rutgers–Camden School of Nursing. “In a field that can be emotionally and physically demanding, moments like this offer a rare opportunity for comfort, reflection, and recharge. Experiencing live music together brings a sense of connection, reminding us of the importance of caring not only for others, but for ourselves. It’s a powerful gesture that resonates with our community.”
Reflecting on the therapeutic benefits of music for caregivers and patients
Research has shown that music can reduce stress,
promote calm, and foster emotional connection – benefits that are especially meaningful during a month dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and celebrating the resilience of nurses on the front lines of care.
One of last year’s Gratitude Performances included the neonatal intensive care unit at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Hospital staff, patients, and their families enjoyed these meaningful gestures of appreciation for the individuals who are so often behind the scenes, working tirelessly for their patients.
Maria “Cyd” Mejorada, RN, BSN, CCRN, nurse manager, NICU, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, explained that classical music is especially soothing to the newborns under her care. New parents in the NICU recorded the performance on their phones, both to remember the special moment and to share with their children.
“The music is therapeutic,” she said. “When the Symphony performs, you can see how the babies love it. They settle in and stop crying for the whole time the Symphony is performing. The Symphony creates a calming environment in our NICU.”
Avril A. Keldo, DNP, MSN, ANP-BC, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, director of Professional Practice, Clinical Education and Nursing Research, Nayan K. Kothari MD Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning and Medical Library at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, reflected on how the gratitude is shared by the nurses throughout Saint Peter’s.
“Nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession, but also one of the most challenging. Having the New Jersey Symphony perform for us was such a meaningful gesture.”
The collaboration between the New Jersey Symphony, Johnson & Johnson, and their healthcare partners reflects a shared understanding of the healing and humanizing role of the arts, especially in medical settings. Johnson & Johnson’s 60-plus-year sponsorship of the Symphony continues its legacy of advocating for the nursing profession and investing in the well-being of frontline healthcare workers, particularly in the company’s home state.
The Gratitude Performances serve as a powerful reminder that even small acts of recognition, like the sound of live music in a hospital corridor, can carry profound meaning for those who care for us all.