The Inspiration for the Musical Group

Music with a Message

Deb Rollison

VA-NMMG is the creation of its Music Director and Conductor, Victor Wahby, MD, PhD, Director of Special Projects for the VHA.  Dr. Wahby's experiences in conducting the Mayo Medical Chorale and Orchestra and the Yale-VA Medical Musical Group ignited his vision of a national medical-musical chorus and orchestra. His enthusiasm spread, and the ensemble grew from an initial handful of colleagues and others to the founding of VA-NMMG in 1982 as non-profit organization (not affiliated with VA or any other go9vernment or private agency).

"The group is about music with a message," Dr. Wahby explains. "VA-NMMG's mission is to be an advocate for various humanitarian concerns through musical offerings. Its message is an uplifting one of healing, inspiration, patriotism, and national unity."

John McDermott, one of the Three Irish Tenors, performed with VA-NMMG in their November 1999 Veterans Day concert. He could have been speaking for the whole group when he said, "So much of the music I sing really speaks to the veterans' experience, and I feel a great deal of respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of their country."

Many other luminaries, such as Shirley Johes, Art Linkletter, Maureen McGovern, Judy Collins, CeCe Wynans, Pat Boone, and Adrian Cronauer (the real-life inspiration for the movie Good Morning, Vietnam) have expressed similar feelings as they lent their talents to the concerts and the cause.

Want to contact the VA-NMMG? E-mail VANMMG@hotmail, call 202-797-0700, or check our Webpage www.medicalmusical.com for more information. VA-NMMG is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization not linked to any government or private agency.

Deb Rollison is a trainer/consultant, freelance writer, second soprano, and a member of VA-National Medical Group since 1989.

"Article appeared in the Veterans Health System Journal in March 2001, page 26.  Courtesy VHSJ,  Posted by permission. VHSJ may be accessed at www.vhsj.com."