Spotlight: - Clinton Rebello

Violin - Family Medicine Physician

What is your connection to healthcare?

I am a Family Medicine physician for Penn Medicine, at 2 of its outpatient clinics (Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel, NJ).

Why did you choose to pursue your Current field?

My father was a physician, and had a crucial influence on my decision to pursue a medical career. Also, in middle/high school I did tend to gravitate towards the sciences. 

What instrument(s) do you play in PMSO, and how long have you played these instrument(s)?

I play the violin, and have played for 29 years

Why did you start playing your instrument(s)?

Because my father made me. Literally, that's it!

Why is music important to you?

Music creates a way for me to express myself (my emotions and feelings) on my instrument, and also creates a ''safe space'' for me to relax, and ''another world' for me to delve into when I'm stressed. Both playing music, and listening to it (or watching live performances of it), create this cathartic effect for me

Do you think music and healthcare can complement each other in any way?

Absolutely so! And I experience this myself on a daily basis. Music relaxes me. Thus, I listen to it while doing my patient charting. It keeps me focused, my mind clear, and allows me to be productive. I used to play violin for patients at nursing homes and hospitals, and I would sometimes literally see their vital signs (on the monitor) improve right before my eyes! Their blood pressure and pulse and respiratory rates went down, and oxygen saturations went up!

Music has a relaxing and calming effect on the human body, both physically and mentally. This is the basis for the field of music therapy, a prime example of how music and healthcare interact, and connect, and are symbiotic!

Why did you get involved in PMSO?

I was looking for a new community orchestra to join, and when I found out about PMSO, I thought it was so cool that my employer had its very own symphony orchestra, and thus I just had to join!

What has your experience in PMSO been like so far?

It has been wonderful! This is my very first semester with PMSO, and I absolutely love the energy, and size, and abilities of the orchestra and its musicians. Previously, the community orchestras I was a part of, had mostly much older (and mostly senior citizen) people in them, and that caused the energy during rehearsals to be very static and sluggish and ''tired.'' also, these groups were starving for members, so the appearance at rehearsals was skeletal most of the time (there were lots of empty seats at every rehearsal), thus we could never achieve a full sound. This was quite disheartening to me. And finally, the abilities of these players were not very good, thus we typically played repertoire that was not very challenging. Another reason why I felt largely uninspired while in these groups. 

With PMSO, for being a community orchestra, it is a very large group! And being around people my age energizes and motivates me to come to rehearsal each week. I can connect with others here, both musically and socially.  Finally, I am impressed with the technical level that I am seeing in most of the PMSO players, it practically rivals that of professional groups I have seen! For being non-professional musicians, and mainly academic professionals, the skill level of the PMSO musicians is remarkable, and this makes me feel like I am part of something great! Additonally, the repertoire we are currently playing is very challenging, which, again, makes me feel that I am part of a legitimate high-quality group, and motivates me to practice the music on my own, and to attend rehearsal each week!

Why should people come to the concert this year?

To see the musical accomplishment of a wonderful group of non-professional musicians, yet still, professionals in other regards, who are all still highly talented and share a common love of music, and desire to create and perform it for others. This is a one-of a kind orchestra! Also, the concert is free-what more could you ask for?

Interview with Clinton Rebello prior to the Fall 2024 concert. Published 11/27/2024