Montreal Doctors Can Now Prescribe Symphony Tickets

Montreal, Canada — Doctors in Montreal can now prescribe symphony orchestra tickets to their patients, thanks to a new “Music on Prescription” programme launched by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) in partnership with the Médecins francophones du Canada.

Under the initiative, practising physicians in the Montreal area are given special prescription vouchers that allow patients to receive two free tickets to any public concert in the OSM’s 2025–2026 season. Patients can book their preferred performance directly with the orchestra by phone.

The project, which began on 29 October 2025 and will run until 28 October 2026, marks Canada’s first large-scale “social prescribing” collaboration between a medical association and a major cultural institution.

“We believe in the healing power of music and hope to use art to strengthen community wellbeing,”said OSM CEO Mélanie La Coulte.“Our goal is to transform the artistic value of symphonic music into a public health resource that supports patients beyond medication.”

According to Nicole Parent, Executive Director of the Médecins francophones du Canada, a growing body of evidence shows that music has measurable effects on both physical and mental health.

“This model not only helps reduce discomfort and anxiety, but also reinforces trust between patients and physicians,” she said.

The project builds on research led by Mathieu Roy, Associate Professor of Psychology at McGill University, whose studies suggest that live musical experiences can reduce the perception of pain and alleviate anxiety by influencing brain activity in the amygdala and increasing serotonin levels.

The “concert prescription” programme follows successful examples from Europe, where music therapy has been integrated into cardiovascular care, perioperative recovery, and neurological rehabilitation.

Despite being only a week old, the Montreal initiative has already drawn national attention. Symphony orchestras in Toronto and Quebec City are exploring ways to replicate the model, while more than 200 doctors across Canada — including specialists in psychiatry, geriatrics, and rehabilitation — have applied to participate.

“This is a valuable complement to traditional medicine,”said family physician Dr. Pierre Lemay.“Modern healthcare increasingly recognises the need to treat both mind and body. Attending a concert can relieve loneliness and stress, especially for older adults, chronic patients, and those in sub-health conditions.”

The OSM says the programme is part of its broader mission to make symphonic music accessible to all, while highlighting its potential as a tool for public wellbeing.