Young violinist brings joy of music to HSHS St. John’s Hospital patients
June 01, 2026
Story originally featured on WICS News. Watch the full video.
As one of the youngest individuals to volunteer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Meher Garg has taken her love of music and transformed it into community service for patients.
Now a junior at Springfield High School, Meher plays three instruments and performs as a violinist with the Illinois Youth Symphony Orchestra. She traces her passion for music to her grandmother, a retired music teacher who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. During the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, Meher noticed when she played the violin for her grandmother, she would smile.
“I started thinking of people who didn’t have access to live music at all, such as those in nursing homes, dementia centers or in hospitals,” Meher said.
She began playing her violin for St. John’s patients on the weekends. That act of compassion soon grew into a student musician-led initiative called Melody Therapy, which brings live music to dementia and senior citizen patients across the Springfield region.
“The joy from music -- it’s so incredible seeing all these patients and their families so happy,” Meher said.
Expanding Care Beyond the Music
Her work with dementia patients has now expanded beyond music. Meher and her team create personalized memory boxes for residents in dementia care facilities. The boxes include photos, letters, song playlists and other keepsakes representing important moments from a patient’s life. The goal is to reconnect residents with their own stories.
Melody Therapy is just one part of Meher’s service work. At school, she serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council and is a member of the Superintendent’s Roundtable, where she advocates for emotional support systems for students.
Nora Lauer, assistant principal at Springfield High School, praised Meher’s dedication, noting that choosing volunteer work over downtime “is a testament to her and to her family.”
Meher plans to continue her love of service in her choice of a career as a physician. She encourages young people to pursue their passion and funnel it “to help their community and to bring their community joy.”
Student and Adult Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers, like Meher, play vital roles at St. John’s every day and you can, too. The Student Volunteer Program runs for nine weeks starting the first full week in June. To learn more call 217-814-4209 or email us at [email protected]. Applications are always open here.
As one of the youngest individuals to volunteer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Meher Garg has taken her love of music and transformed it into community service for patients.
Now a junior at Springfield High School, Meher plays three instruments and performs as a violinist with the Illinois Youth Symphony Orchestra. She traces her passion for music to her grandmother, a retired music teacher who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. During the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, Meher noticed when she played the violin for her grandmother, she would smile.
“I started thinking of people who didn’t have access to live music at all, such as those in nursing homes, dementia centers or in hospitals,” Meher said.
She began playing her violin for St. John’s patients on the weekends. That act of compassion soon grew into a student musician-led initiative called Melody Therapy, which brings live music to dementia and senior citizen patients across the Springfield region.
“The joy from music -- it’s so incredible seeing all these patients and their families so happy,” Meher said.
Expanding Care Beyond the Music
Her work with dementia patients has now expanded beyond music. Meher and her team create personalized memory boxes for residents in dementia care facilities. The boxes include photos, letters, song playlists and other keepsakes representing important moments from a patient’s life. The goal is to reconnect residents with their own stories.
Melody Therapy is just one part of Meher’s service work. At school, she serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council and is a member of the Superintendent’s Roundtable, where she advocates for emotional support systems for students.
Nora Lauer, assistant principal at Springfield High School, praised Meher’s dedication, noting that choosing volunteer work over downtime “is a testament to her and to her family.”
Meher plans to continue her love of service in her choice of a career as a physician. She encourages young people to pursue their passion and funnel it “to help their community and to bring their community joy.”
Student and Adult Volunteers Welcome
Volunteers, like Meher, play vital roles at St. John’s every day and you can, too. The Student Volunteer Program runs for nine weeks starting the first full week in June. To learn more call 217-814-4209 or email us at [email protected]. Applications are always open here.
Media Contact
Mary Massingale
System Manager, Communications & Public Relations