St. Mark’s Hospital staff treated to ‘thank you’ concert from stroke patient, professional musician

MILLCREEK, Utah — The staff at St. Mark’s Hospital was treated to a special performance, led by a musician-patient they have gotten to know very well.

Scott Harris, who has been in the hospital for a month recovering from a stroke, has played on and off with the Utah Symphony for 46 years.

“I initially started playing with the symphony back, I believe, in 1975 when Maurice Abravanel was the conductor,” Harris said. “I play clarinet, saxophone and members of the flute family: flute, piccolo and then I also play a number of different synthesizers.”

Lately his performances have been put on hold after suffering from a concussion that led to a stroke in mid-October. He was worried he would lose his ability to play his instruments.

“Two weeks ago I could literally not stand up and I still have a long way to go,” he said. “My right hand is pretty much where it was before but my left hand, I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

He has been working with physical therapists at the hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Center for the last month, all the while continuing to play his clarinet.

“He is pretty competitive too which I think makes therapy fun,” therapist Kaili Kinoshita said.

Therapists have taken notice at his hard work saying his determination is what has led to his success so far.

“He does not want to do anything unless he can do it well,” Kinoshita said.

This week, Harris’ hard work paid off when he and his quintet group, The Prevailing Winds, put on a thank you concert for his therapists.

“That performance was flawless! Of course, if you ask him, he will say something different,” Kinoshita laughed.

Harris wanted the performance to be his grand finale before saying goodbye to staff and heading home this week.

“I want to do this as a thank you for the people who have been so great and helped me so much,” Harris said.