A program of musical entertainment is not needed at all hospitals, nor for all patients. Entertainment is relatively new in hospitals. A need for it arose when hospitals for the chronically ill became greater in numbers and size. The average person soon becomes bored when restricted to bed or even the confining walls of an institution. Reading becomes tiresome for most because of position, eye-strain, or satiation. Similar limitations exist to a lesser degree for craftwork. There is a diminution in contact with the outside world except for the too infrequent and short visits of friends or relatives. In hospitals for the tuberculous adult or the crippled child, the average duration of hospitalization may be a year. Few leave before a period of three months and some remain for years. Life for the chronically hospitalized patient may become more monotonous than is wise. Monotony leads to discontent, irritability, apathy, and possibly disciplinary problems. Monotony may make meals even less attractive than they are in some hospitals. Lack of mental occupation may lead to a loss of desire to get well or give the patient too much time to think about himself, his helplessness and hopelessness. Most patients arrive at the point where they crave amusement, and most of them would rather be amused than work for their own entertainment. In the field of entertainment, music is indispensable. In hospitals, music is frequently the only form of entertainment. Music can be used at the bedside, in the ward, the assembly hall, or when weather permits, outdoors. In hospitals equipped with public address systems the problem is decreased by the simultaneous performance of mechanically reproduced music throughout the wards and rooms of the hospital. Where public address systems have not been installed, entertainment will depend largely on radios, record reproducers, and personal appearances of musicians. “Live” musicians are the most welcome source of entertainment. If the hospital has a music aide, this aim is partially fulfilled by his activities. If there is no full time musician, hospitals may be able to secure the part-time services of a musician or recreational aide. Some one person should have control of arranging programs, and an interested person will usually be found on the hospital staff. It may be an occupational therapist, a nurse, or even one of the physicians. The person selected to direct music will have little difficulty in finding in the community some musicians or groups of amateur entertainers who will be willing to assist in this work. Groups from schools of music, high schools, fraternal or benevolent organizations, women’s clubs, music clubs and veteran’s societies constitute an incomplete list of sources. Most communities have soloists or small groups which will be willing to perform. Direct solicitation by the hospital director, the ladies auxiliary, or members of the staff should be made personally or through the press.