March 6, 2019 – Renowned classical music pianist Joshua A. Thompson, who was recently named Eskenazi Health’s second Performer-in-Residence, will appear in concert on Friday, March 15, at noon in the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Concourse on the first floor of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, 720 Eskenazi Ave.

The concert is part of the Marianne Tobias Music Program at Eskenazi Health, Performer-in-Residence Program, a series that brings local musicians to the downtown Eskenazi Health campus. Thompson will perform at least nine additional times this year as part of the residency program.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Thompson began taking piano lessons at age 5 and almost immediately exhibited promise and interest in classical music. At age 10 he started studying classical trumpet and he performed with the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra as principle trumpet for two years and later performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Side-by-Side” program.

In 2010, Thompson combined his passion for advocacy and music education by working closely with cultural arts organizations such as the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Music for All, and Indy Jazz Fest with a focus on making educational resources accessible and ubiquitous throughout the city of Indianapolis. Since his return to public piano performance, Thompson has worked with legendary bassist John Clayton, and world renowned operatic soprano Angela Brown.

In 2019, Thompson was named one of the featured artists for the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ “Art and Soul Celebration” – an annual program in its 23rd year that highlights rising and emerging artists in the African-American community. Thompson sits on the Board of Directors for Arts for Lawrence and consults with local artists to ensure their artistic projects are financially supported by arts and culture organizations in the Indianapolis area.

The Performer-in-Residence Program awards one individual artist or ensemble a one-year contract to perform within our health care system. The highly competitive and prestigious residency is awarded to artists that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication to arts in public health. Recipients of the Performer-in-Residency Program are long-standing ambassadors for the arts and specialists in integrating their artistry into our community and into our unique version of health care. 

The program is in its second season. Past 2018 recipient ensemble Salaam celebrated the program’s inauguration with the traditional sounds of the Middle East and Northern Africa.

The power of music positively impacting health has been well-documented. Studies have shown that music not only can provide comfort and peace to patients and families, but also can be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions from depression to chronic pain.

Since the opening of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, the Marianne Tobias Music Program has hosted a number of notable performers throughout its campus. Tobias helped to establish the program in 2013, including donating a concert grand piano that resides in the main concourse of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

To learn more about the Marianne Tobias Music Program and to find a list of upcoming concerts, please contact the Eskenazi Health Foundation at 317.880.4900 or visit www.EskenaziHealthMusic.com.

###