Molly playing violin in the Children’s Hospital
Molly Rahe Randall’s twin babies spent 147 days in the Penn State Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Hershey when they were born three months early. Her girls, Adriana and Keana, grew stronger and as they became stable enough, Molly would play the violin for them at night. Her music soothed and nurtured her babies.
“When I was pregnant, they heard music all the time. I would be practicing the violin, playing at events or teaching private lessons. They were used to hearing music,” says Molly.
Molly says that one night while she was playing music to her daughters, staff was able to reduce the need for a ventilator. “I’m sure the familiar music calmed her,” she says.
Now her daughters are in elementary school and Molly serves as an Arts in Health musician at Penn State Hershey Medical Center playing violin solo in the main entrance lobby and Children’s Hospital. Often to the delight of young listeners, Molly will play themes from Disney movies.
“I love playing Disney tunes and watching people’s faces light up when they recognize the songs. I always try to pay attention to the people around me when I pick the music I play. I do my best to choose songs that people can connect with,” says Molly.
Molly, who has been a musician for nearly three decades, says that playing for Center Stage is her way of staying engaged with the place that cared for her children in their infancy.
Center Stage is delighted to host Molly and her magnificent gift for music. Center Stage Director Claire de Boer says, “Molly has an ability to make people of all ages smile with Disney tunes on her violin. It is a heartwarming scene!”
