JoyRx Music draws on the universal power of music to energize and lift spirits. Our trained musicians help children find Joy during the stressful and painful experiences related to extended hospitalizations and treatments for life-threatening illness.
With kid-prescribed music medicine, our highly trained JoyRx musicians engage children of all ages and diagnoses, allowing them to choose the musical experience that best fits their current emotional place and desired mood.
Through three modes of delivery, we reach children with in-person bedside visits (Live), virtual music sessions (Digital Live), and 24/7 on-demand music performances and lessons (On Demand).
When engaging in person, children can choose to watch a live music session, request a song, sing along, participate in music lessons, or grab an instrument to join in — whatever feels right and brings them Joy in that moment. With our Digital Live and On Demand offerings, we can reach more children who are undergoing treatment at home or within a healthcare facility. We partner with hospital staff to integrate live music into their existing entertainment systems or through real-time, one-on-one virtual interactions. In addition, we have on-demand offerings available 24/7, with exclusive artist performances, music lessons, games, and more.
Since 1995, JoyRx Music has created Joyful music experiences for nearly 100,000 seriously ill kids nationally. In 2018, JoyRx Music began service in Texas, filling a critical gap in arts and music program services for hospitalized kids and their families. The program has since expanded with the launch of bedside, in-person music medicine in 2022, with additional expansion planned.
“Music heals. This is a fact I do not take lightly. The distress in our teenager’s eyes as she lost the ability to speak, walk, write, to do anything at one point in her treatment was painful for me to see as her mom. JoyRx’s musicians played songs that she had requested in prior bedside jam sessions. Her eyes sparkled with each visit. Kira often retells this point in her journey, saying that hearing them play HER songs made her feel unique. She talks about wanting to break out of her locked body and sing along and feel normal.”
—Sara,
Kira’s Mother
You can support our music medicine program by donating instruments, gift cards, and other items from our wish list below.
JoyRx Music is made possible with the generous support of our friends and Champions in the music industry.
Vice President of Programs at JoyRx, Maura Boyce, recently wrote an article for Healthcare Business Today on the power and importance of music as medicine. Here’s an excerpt from the article: Receiving a serious medical diagnosis is a life-changing event for children and their families that can affect every area of their lives. When illness… Read more »
JoyRx shares our Local Insights with Austin. 103.5 Bob FM radio recently shared a round-up of what JoyRx is up to in Austin, including upcoming events and ways to get involved. Allison Moore, Director of Programs, South, sat down with Bob FM for an interview discussing upcoming plans, events, and the expansion of our program.… Read more »
On Thursday, April 6, JoyRx celebrated our annual Live From the Heart Benefit Concert in Austin, Texas. This year, our musical guest was Amos Lee, who performed at the iconic ACL Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Over 1,200 guests attended the concert with nearly 300 guests joining us on the floor of the Moody Theater… Read more »