Musicians On Call – Using the Healing Power of Music
Pete Griffin, President and CEO of Musicians On Call, highlights their efforts to use the healing power of music to help those facing uncertainty and isolation, especially during the global pandemic. Thanks to its virtual programs, Musicians On Call is currently one of the few charities that is still able to provide programs directly to patients and caregivers in hospitals. The organization is continuing to expand its Virtual Bedside Performance Program, which uses the closed circuit television systems within hospitals and livestream technology to broadcast musicians’ performances from their homes and in studios, and Music Pharmacy, which gives patients innovative technology to access the healing power of music at their bedside. During the interview, Griffin shares more about these programs, working with the musicians, the impact created, how demand is higher than ever for their programs, how the community can help, and more.
- COVID-19 response – Musicians On Call (MOC) has a vision of a world filled with the healing power of music. As many people experience uncertainty and isolation during this global pandemic, this vision is more critical now than ever. Thanks to its virtual programs, Musicians On Call is currently one of the few charities that is still able to provide programs directly to patients and caregivers in hospitals. Social distancing is causing more people to feel the same stress and anxiety that patients often feel when in the hospital, so MOC is focusing its efforts on bringing welcome relief to both hospital patients and anyone feeling isolated at this time. MOC is continuing to expand its Virtual Bedside Performance Program, which uses the closed circuit television systems within hospitals and livestream technology to broadcast musicians’ performances from their homes and in studios, and Music Pharmacy, which gives patients innovative technology to access the healing power of music at their bedside. These programs serve the populations most in need during this pandemic, including hospital patients who are undergoing visitor restrictions, caregivers serving their communities on the frontlines and elderly or at-risk individuals who must remain at home. Because of its virtual programs, Musicians On Call is on track to perform for more people in a single year than in any other year in its history.
- Virtual surprise performances for patients – Musicians On Call has evolved the Virtual Bedside Performance Program to include intimate one-on-one visits between patients and Volunteer Musicians, some of whom are well-known recording artists. Sia congratulated a young cancer patient on his last day of treatment and sang his anthem especially for him; Lauren Daigle enjoyed her own song performed for her by a young patient who had been told after life-saving brain surgery that she wouldn’t be able to speak again; Andrew McMahon sang his song that was playing for a young fan when she woke up from a coma; Reba McEntire surprised caregivers in North Carolina and Lukas Graham dueted his song “Scars” with a Leukemia patient. MOC has provided numerous other memorable moments with artists such as Jason Derulo, Andy Grammer, Darius Rucker, Rachel Platten, Charles Esten, Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Goo Goo Dolls and many more. Musicians On Call has also arranged performances for COVID-19 patients quarantined in their homes and connected patients in hospitals with family members outside of the facility for everyone to enjoy the music when they could not be together otherwise.
- How to get involved – Musicians On Call is experiencing the highest demand ever for its programming. There are many ways the community can get involved to help MOC bring the healing power of music to more patients, family members and caregivers across the country: donate or sponsor one of MOC’s programming initiatives, fundraise on behalf of MOC, send an ecard to your Healthcare Hero, follow MOC on social media and help spread the word about its initiatives. Learn more at musiciansoncall.org/covid-19.
Learn more:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiciansoncall
Website: https://www.musiciansoncall.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musiciansoncall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansoncall/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MOCMusiciansOnCall