Otitis Musica is a student group within the University of Maryland School of Medicine that gives interested medical students, professors, and staff within the University an opportunity to play, perform, and enjoy music together. We are currently the only student-faculty chamber ensemble within the School of Medicine.

IN THE BEGINNING

In 2000, two medical students at the University of Maryland decided to start a student group within the medical school that would meet regularly (as regularly as medical school allows) to play music. Calling themselves "Otitis Musica," meaning "musical ear infection," the group grew slowly and eventually included both student and faculty musicians within the medical school. Once a strings-only chamber group, Otitis Musica has expanded greatly in recent years and today, in addition to chamber music, we attempt full-orchestra symphonic works, which we sometimes modify for the instruments that we have in our group.

In 2005 we introduced Otitis Musica to the Bedside, where small groups of medical student or faculty musicians would perform in the wards of University Hospital, such as the cancer or pediatric wards. In 2006, this program was expanded to include the Ronald McDonald House, also located on the University of Maryland campus.

WHERE TO FIND US

Otitis Musica is open to all interested students and faculty members affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. We rehearse on the average of every other week, avoiding the week before a 1st or 2nd year exam if possible. We usually perform two concerts per year, one in December and one in May. These concerts usually take place at noon in the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) or the VA hospital which is located adjacent to UMMS. Check the Events section for our next concert date.

If you are interested in playing with us, look for our booth at the annual Student Group Fair in August or email the music director, Aaron Johnson at ajohn011 AT umaryland.edu for more information.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

Otitis Musica, as a recognized student group, receives about $300 annually from the Student Council in the School of Medicine. This money is mainly used to purchase music and occasionally percussion instruments for upcoming performances. Given how expensive the acquisition of sheet music is (for example, the Blue Danube, one of eight pieces we performed in May 2005, alone costs $60), we have had to become somewhat creative with how we budget our funding. Lately we have arranged our own music to save some money, but at the expense of much time and effort (we're medical students, after all!), and any funding through donations and other performances has been much appreciated.

If you would like to contribute to Otitis Musica, or if you are in the Baltimore area and would like us to play at an event, please contact us (rogerwu AT webwu.net). As this is a medical student group, we would greatly appreciate it if we were given at least one month's notice so we have adequate time to prepare for your event. We usually give events that are medically related higher priority. For example, we have had quartets from our group perform at medical conferences and parties, a VA hospital volunteer banquet, and the School of Medicine annual gala fundraiser event.

We appreciate your support and interest!