Statements

Mission

Musicians On Call (MOC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that connects musicians to healthcare environments and hospitals, bringing the healing power of music, through live and innovative programming, to the bedsides of patients battling illness and injury across Middle Tennessee and the country.

Background

Founded in 1999, MOC has spent 25 years sharing transformative live music with children, adults, Veterans, seniors and caregivers through its Bedside Program. In 2007, Musicians On Call launched the first-ever Bedside program in Nashville; sending Music City's talented musicians to the bedside of hospital patients experiencing medical hardship. Over a decade of operations, MOC established fifteen weekly Bedside Programs in Middle TN; serving over 200,000 hospital patients, their family members, and caregivers within adult hospitals, children's hospitals, VA facilities, hospice care, longterm care and behavioral health facilities in the region.

In the COVID-19 era, Musicians On Call transformed MOC Virtual to help ensure that these beneficial live music performances continue to reach Nashville and Middle Tennessee hospitals overwhelmed amidst the stress and isolation of the pandemic. This program utilizes a custom-built innovative streaming virtual technology, developed in Nashville, a robust network of talented Middle TN musicians, and creative partnerships with Nashville hospitals to carry on the mission of providing the healing power of music to patients, family members and caregivers across the region. No other organizations in Middle Tennessee share this innovative approach, network of hospital partners, or the existing impact of serving over 40,000 hospitalized Middle Tennesseans through the pandemic season.

MOC has made a full-fledged return to in-person programs with MOC Bedside once more in a renewed effort to sustain and expand the healing power of music throughout Middle Tennessee.

Musicians On Call has been recognized for the innovative approach and impact of its virtual and in-person Bedside Programs by major media outlets and industry leaders including Forbes, Fast Company, The TODAY Show, and The Tennessean. And, in addition to its service to patients and healthcare facilities, MOC was awarded a spot on the"Best Place to Work" list among all nonprofits in the US by The Nonprofit Times 6 years in a row.

Impact

James, a Vietnam Veteran at the Nashville VA Medical Center, experienced the deeply moving and healing power of music during MOC's Concert for Veterans live at the Nashville VA. Musician HunterGirl's performance moved James to tears, evoking powerful and intimate memories. He shared that "Music heals. Because without music, what do we have?" He is not alone in this sentiment as hospital administrators have said: "each week Musicians On Call and their volunteers provide relief, comfort, and support through the healing power of music either virtually or in person…our staff has noted the incredibly positive impact that these music performances have on patients, family members, and staff and the overall environment."

These programs create profoundly meaningful experiences that relieve stress, improve moods, and supplement the recovery of individuals facing the challenges of hospitalization. In Musicians On Call's own research surveys, among hospital partners 100% of staff participants agreed that the program created a morale boost and led to an increase in patient positivity; leading to better patient-caregiver relationships.

Finally, through MOC's Hospital Partner Survey, which surveyed staff across 9 partner facilities, 97% of hospital staff and caregivers agreed that the Bedside Program generated 'morale boost amongst staff, led to an increase in patient positivity, and/or led to better patient-to-caregiver relationships.'

Needs

Needs Statement:

1) Financial support to transition MOC's new innovative program management platform across Middle Tennessee hospital partners
2) Local corporate partnerships to sponsor individual programs and specialized events for caretakers and patients
3) Expand partnerships and relationships with community organizations across the region; building a culturally rich and passionate base of volunteers and champions
4) Diversify individual donor base and generate long-term program sustainers
5) Expand network of foundation relationships

CEO Statement

Musicians On Call is unique in bringing music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. We know that music lowers blood pressure, brings relaxation, helps with pain management and the need for pain medication, lowers heart rate and stress hormones and just makes you feel better. MOC remains the sole leader in providing live bedside music performances to hospital facilities across the nation. The organization deploys a diverse pool of local talented volunteer musicians to deliver touching performances to each patient. Many of the local volunteer musicians have built strong grassroots community ties through their careers playing locally and engaging community members in a one-on-one level. Ultimately, MOC programs are leveraging the strength of the local music community to directly serve fellow community members receiving life-altering treatment in healthcare facilities. I am very proud of how MOC has grown in the past 25 years and the fact that we've played for over 1,000,000 individuals nationwide. Often, the live music means as much to hospital staff and families as it does to the patients and our musicians have said that the experience for them is transformative. Our goal is to continue to grow throughout Middle Tennessee and the United States.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Music
Secondary Category:	Health Care  - Patient & Family Support
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

Serving patients at the following hospitals, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Nashville and Murfreesboro VA, TriStar Centennial Medical Center, Centennial Women's and Children's Hospital, Alive Hospice, and Sarah Cannon Cancer Center.

TN - Davidson

TN - Rutherford