Since 2023 Glenn Walton, a Professor in the Business and IT Department, has been involved in a very special community service as he has served as the coordinator and participant for the Portland, Maine Music Medics.    The Portland, Maine Downeasters Barbershop Chorus is a nonprofit acapella group that sings throughout the state at a multitude of different functions.  They just recently created a new smaller group of singers that are called the Portland Music Medics, as a part of a new community outreach program.

Singers in the Music Medics program split into teams of 4 to 8 singers, dressed in medical scrubs, that go into the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. They sing and entertain those children with serious illnesses so that they can bring a positive experience to the young patients and their families during their medical journeys.

The singers work closely with the facilities children's program coordinator as they have a planned visit once a month. The Portland Music Medics sing in a common area for family and patient entertainment, room to room for anyone who needs more personalized attention and even in the pediatric and general waiting rooms of the hospital. Music Medic also have special songs they sing to just the Nurses stations to show their appreciation for the tireless work the medical staff do!

The musical repertoire is comprised of specially selected children’s songs that they would recognize or enjoy. Uplifting, fun songs, such as Disney songs like “You Got a Friend in Me” or When You Wish Upon a Star,” are some of their favorites. Goofy songs like “Bubble Gum” or “My Wild Chubby Cat” have become very popular with the kids also. Glenn is the emcee for the group, and you can usually find extra equipment in his pockets that he uses from time to time like a small mini rubber chicken, a pitch pipe to start the songs, and a few kazoos! The group tries to create audience participation and generally foster an environment where the patients can forget about where they are for just a little while.

This program is growing throughout the country with the encouragement of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Glenn continually agrees that this particular community service sends a powerful positive message to all who listen and also to those who sing!