User:Sabbyd/sandbox

Musicians on Call

Musicians on Call is an American nonprofit organization and humanitarianism vision group that promotes the healing power of music. They follow this vision by bringing various forms of recorded and live music to the bedsides of patients to help them heal and bring them happiness. Music is seen as a primary source of medicine. This organization is based in various states around America and have partnered with over 50 hospitals across 14 different markets. Over the years, the organization has grown and reached over 26 cities in the United States. The organization has developed significantly since it was originally founded, demonstrating a positive, impactful effect on the patients, volunteers and musicians involved.

Musicians on Call is run by numerous volunteers, that work together to bring and play music by the bedside of those in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They are known for playing to young children, families, caregivers and even injured veterans. The organization continues to strive with the growth of musicians both volunteers, and celebrities that participate by performing at events that raise funds for the organization. Financial contributions continue to rise for Musicians on Call, and are explored through the listed audited forms, and exemption of income tax reports that are displayed publicly online. The impact that music has on helping patients heal in different ways is profound and significant. It is used a dose of medicine and continues to be explored by doctors in the numerous ways it connects with humans while healing. Musicians on Call hosts various fundraising events around the United States that promote the organization, including concerts hosted by celebrities and well-known personalities. These concerts honour individuals who have given significant contributions to the corporation, celebrate the achievements they have been able to reach, and even musicians unite together to help victims and their families heal at tragic times.

Background

The nonprofit organization was founded in 1999 in New York by Michael Solomon and Vivek Tiwary who shared the commonality of having lost loved ones after their long stay in hospitals. After Michael lost a close friend to him, Kristen Carr, to sarcoma, (in association with the founding and sister organization to Musicians on Call, the Kristen Ann Carr Fund), Michael and Kristen’s parents began to come up with ideas in improving and bettering various aspects of hospital patients lives.

(More can be read about The Kristen Ann Carr Fund here),

They mutually decided to host a fundraising concert that would honour Kristen, and would allow the hospital patients to watch it and be a part of the experience. Having lost both of his parents to cancer, Vivek made the decision to attend this concert that was held at the hospital in hopes of finding a way to heal. After having a few concerts being held in the waiting room for patients, it was evident that some patients were too sick or unable to leave their rooms, that were really interested and wanting to listen to the music. Acknowledging and understanding these circumstances, Michael and Vivek then decided to continue on the path of bringing music into patients’ lives by asking fellow musicians and friends of theirs to perform at the bedsides within the hospitals. They both wanted to find a method to make the circumstances of staying in the hospital setting more comfortable for the patients. Michael and Vivek wanted to develop an organization that primarily focuses on encouraging musicians and those interested in music to participate in helping bring doses of happiness and healing to the bedsides of hospital patients. Building on the positive response that they received and recognized from all those involved with the performances, and from what they personally felt through this experience; Musicians on Call was then developed. This primarily is the essence in what drove the founders to establish this organization, however there were other steps needed to be taken in order to follow through executing its development.

Michael and Vivek then turned to the help of Barbara Carr, who is Kristen Carr’s mother and also happened to be Bruce Springsteen’s manager. From this connection, Bruce was a major part of the growth of the organization. With his support, he was the first celebrity to raise funds and awareness to Musicians on Call; and that is how the organization started. Michael and Vivek had seen their pursued vision brought to life and have not looked back since. Since it was first introduced, the volunteer musicians have played for more than 600,000 patients across various hospitals in different American states, including Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, etc. Philadelphia was the first city that Musicians on Call expanded to after being founded in New York. It has become a well known organization that has held many performances by not only the volunteers but also many celebrities.

Impact of Music

Music and Healing

Music has a complex relationship with healing. They coincide with one another. Music ultimately affects everyone in their own way, whether it be individuals who play and create it, or individuals who listen and are passionate about it. For many years from past to present, this relationship has been explored to demonstrate that music has a positive effect on individuals who are healing. The power and impact music has within its ability allows people to heal, which is believed by many cultures of all generations, whether it be through listening to songs, playing different instruments, or being able to sing and perform. Doctors, such as Anthony L. Komaroff, from Harvard University explore the numerous ways the relationship between music and healing are demonstrated. The prominent example of the dynamic of this relationship he uses is when he examines how humans are rhythmic beings. Every human breathes and has a heartbeat, that each follow a tempo and personal rhythm; which therefore highlights that even based on bodily functions, humans can determine the differentiation from music to everyday noise and respond to it accordingly. This rhythmic relationship of how humans can differentiate and feel music leads to the various ways in which it can aid, enhance and better certain characteristics in the healing process. This is represented as Dr. Komaroff explores the positive impact on improving memory, balance, coordination, relieving stress and helping with depression. Doctors continue to research and find better understanding of how music personally attributes and affects each of these aspects.

Understanding this relationship of music and healing is the driving force in what Musicians on Call continues to follow in pursuit. Musicians on Call also explores the powerful impact music has on alleviating pain, improving the mindset and also reducing the stay for patients at hospitals. This is purposely related to the story of Michael and Vivek, and their original intent of wanting to develop this organization. For many years, prayers have been a form of expression to seek peace, answers and hope. This is also linked to the relationship between music and healing because prayers have been sung in solemn, alone or in solidarity with others.

“Bright, cheerful music can make people of all ages feel happy, energetic, and alert, and music even has a role in lifting the mood of people with depressive illnesses.”

Music as Medicine

Music is used a form of medicine because it can help cure illnesses and help patients build their spirit. It is used a form of medicine in order to make hospital patients feel brighter and put them in positive spirits. Music is a combination of different rhythms, harmonies and melodies which are not only various musical elements, but also “the foundation of life, nature and our universe. Their vibrations can expand the heart, transform the mind and heal.” Musicians on Call also explores the importance and effect music has on improving blood pressure, helping patients be able to express their feelings and help with physical rehabilitation. This relationship of music and healing is what this organization seeks to achieve through the performances the musicians give at the besides of the patients.

“We’ve seen veterans move their injured limbts to the music - and children smile for the first time since they’ve been in the hospital to receive treatment for cancer. These one-on-one interactions between musician and patient have the powerful effect of restoring the happiness that often fades away in healthcare facilities.”

Musicians on Call promotes the idea of music being able to help heal all those who are in injured, sick, in pain, stress, etc. Numerous of volunteers as discussed over the many years the organization have performed at the bedside of patients including young kids, teenagers, and even injured veterans. This demonstrates that Musicians on Call is open to providing and using music to any of those in need, to create an impact in trying to help them heal. Having musicians be a part of the programs also creates an impact on them personally in helping build a part of their identity. Musicians are active to participate in performing in hospital settings and patients bedsides because of moral purposes and it sparks their interpersonal skills that they have developed through being an artist. This is completed through utilizing skills of communication through music at the bedsides of patients building empathy, appreciation and social interaction. The musicians are an important factor is delivering music to the patients, and it ultimately affects them and helps them heal, therefore benefiting everyone involved in the experience. Music has the power to heal not only the listener but the player as well. There have been many celebrity musicians who have taken part in the program and have performed.

Finance

Musicians on Call creates a significant amount of funds every year and has continuously grown over time. They follow standard for a charitable organization and are particular about following proper principles and guidelines of financial aspects. Musicians on Call is a non-profit organization and therefore does not pay any income taxes on donations that are received and revenues they create from fundraising events. Following protocol of a non-profit organization, Musicians on Call posts their financial matters publicly on their website, in order for those who contribute to see their money is being used honestly. Listed on the financial part of their website are various audited forms and exemptions of tax reports. The forms date as far back as 2013 with the most recent (2016) form being made available as well. Statistics from each of these years obviously vary, however provide context to the range of financial income via grants, donations, fundraising and exemption of taxes the organization is addressed with annually.

Audited Forms

An audit is the opportunity to reflect and view the financial operations of a organization in the placement of a report that is developed annually - which is completed by an auditor that will work with the organization. In this report, it includes an overall examination of incomes and aspects of where the funds and money is being utilized within the organization.

Referring to the financial part of the Musicians on Call website, the example of their most recent 2016 audited financial report is broken into variations of aspects that the company has, and how much money has been situated with each of them. The report has been separated and placed into categories of expenses for activities, functional expenses and salaries, etc. In summary, the audited report provided the year Musicians on Call had in how effective they were in the market, and how many individuals they reached. In 2016, Musicians on Call had connections with 55 hospitals hosting 72 programs across the United States, with over 630 musicians bringing music to the bedsides of over 66,000 patients. The total amount accumulated of assets which include investments, security deposits, inventory was $976,186 in 2016. The amount of funds created through various activities of fundraising, contributions, grants, special events, etc, totaled $905,566 in 2016. There is an amount that is also contributed to salaries that are given to the employees and musicians who are a part of the program. Salaries of those musicians who performed at the bedsides of patients totaled $509,580, whereas all management of the organization received a calculated total of $55,844. These forms provide further insight the expenses of the organization and how much money is utilized in all respects.

Musicians on Call have other audited forms and tax reports from years prior to 2016, dating back to 2013 that can viewed here,

Events and Fundraisers

There have been many successful events over the years that have resulted in significant promotion and funds for Musicians on Call. The organization has had numerous concerts and fundraisers hosted by well-known personalities and performances by celebrities. There are various events that Musicians on Call hosts, held around different states in America; that are grounded in reason of celebration, fundraising, honouring individuals, and even supporting people in tragic times. Some of the most recent events/fundraisers that were held in 2017 found differentiation in purposes, but ultimately concluded in uniting individuals and exploring the important relationship of music and healing.

Nashville

Musicians on Call has had great success in Nashville, Tennessee, over the years of working in partnership with their hospitals. They hosted a sold out concert in celebration of their 10 year anniversary of being in this state. The concert was hosted at the City Winery on October 26, 2017 in Nashville, hosted by a popular Nashville radio personality Bobby Bones. The lineup included some very popular musicians such as Lady Antebellum, Charles Esten, Peter Frampton and more, who performed some of their songs to the crowd in celebration. The event raised $260,000 for Musicians on Call, which was a record breaking amount. This night was used a primary way of exploring how Musicians on Call use the power of music to spread happiness and healing. Charles Esten, one of the performers and also a well-known actor, spoke about his relationship with Musicians on Call and recalled his encounters performing at the bedsides of patients and how powerful they were. The main intent besides celebrating 10 years in Nashville was also to encourage and enforce the importance of all those involved with the organization to express their experiences that they have had in performing music for hospital patients; and that it is one of the most important opportunities volunteers can have in Nashville.

New York

Another significant fundraising event that took place for Musicians on Call happened in New York City in March 2017. It was held at the Edison Ballroom, with Demi Lovato headlinging the charity concert, that totaled to raise $280,000. The night was dedicated to honouring one of New York’s popular radio personalities, Elvis Duran, who has been a long time supporter and influencer of Musicians on Call. He received a leadership award that Musicians on Call provides called, “the golden ukulele” award. He spoke about his relationship with the organization and his feelings about how important it is, "I've been following the work of Musicians on Call for almost a decade and have been a huge fan of all their contributions," Duran said. Duran continued, "having them partner with some of the industry's most talented artists to play for those who are down on their luck is truly a gift." These fundraising and charity concerts are examples of celebrations of Musicians on Call, however demonstrate the significance in creating funds to further promote the healing power of music at the bedsides of hospital patients. That is what the president of the company, Peter Griffin, further addressed at this event, in respect to also acknowledging and honouring Duran's contributions.

Las Vegas

Recently taking place, after the tragic shooting in Las Vegas, at the Route 91 Music Festival, Nashville artists also teamed up with Musicians on Call to return to the city and host a “Concert for Healing.” Artists performed to all surviving victims, their families and all caregivers who were a part of the tragedy. It also provided an opportunity to create a distraction from all that took place, in hopes to create an uplifting atmosphere. Artists that performed at the actual festival including, Michael Ray and Brandon Ray were two of the artists who returned alongside various other musicians to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas delivering music to all those who were involved in that tragic night. Pete Griffin, the president of Musicians on Call, expressed his experience witnessing the musicians perform for all those involved in Las Vegas, “when we bring live music to patients bedsides across the country it’s usually for an injury or ailment unrelated to music. Because the people we played for this week were injured during a concert just down the road, it made the songs and reactions to them even more powerful and emotional to everyone.” To continue to bring healing to Las Vegas, volunteer musicians part of the Musicians on Call organization created a playlist full of songs for all those affected to listen to and help heal. This event was hosted shortly after the Las Vegas shooting, utilizing the essence and spirit of this organization to shed light at a time where patients and their families need it most.