Very early on, we tend to learn that compassion is something active – a verbal contribution to help someone feel better. What is far harder is realising that compassion is also knowing when to ease up. It can be as gentle as sitting in silence, making eye contact or reflecting back to show engagement, even if unable to fully understand or directly influence the issue at hand.

 I am so grateful to continue studying online, but a concern about online clinical contact was building rapport with patients. They share intimate details in a rather impersonal setting; talking to a camera, knowing six students are listening. Avoiding talking over patients or peers, (which happens frequently with internet delays), I rely more on eye contact, nodding for encouragement, and responding to cues with quiet acknowledgement to show active listening. I noticed my tutor and group members do this while sharing feedback and discussing too. Creating a safe environment for self-expression when discussing challenging experiences is so important.

The genesis of my piece was our Living with Dying Symposium, where students recommended soothing, hopeful art – features that define compassion for me. I asked fellow students for music that made them feel reassured and understood. I like to think that in a way, my piece is a testament to all these friends who give me space to talk freely, making me resolved to ensure others have this space to be vulnerable too.

I composed an acapella piece influenced by these suggestions, but lacking a main melody or lyrics unlike conventional arrangements. This was to show that articulating advice instantly may not always as helpful, but filler words – symbolised by vowel sounds – and giving that reflective space can often be even more compassionate.

 I focused less on complexity and more on establishing a warm environment, recording double takes of eight vocal parts, using a major key and even tempo. The quiet opening’s bass note initiates two-part harmony and continues with varying vowel sounds to reflect dynamic conversation between two people. The rhythmic increase conveys hope, and by the end, the motif from the beginning re-occurs with more voices. The conclusion in unison depicts the connection and comfort achieved even without any words.

Visually, a sunset was used to signal nightfall as a time of reflection. The empty chairs signify the change in traditional interaction due to physically retreating for each other’s safety. We cannot give someone a hug, or hold their hand, but we can promise them our time and attention.