MINDY PETERSON, NCTM

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

What happens when live music enters a hospital room? Sterile spaces soften, fear gives way to connection, and everyone present – patients, loved ones, caregivers, and even the musicians themselves – is changed. Musicians On Call COO Katy Epley shares how a single song at the bedside can humanize healthcare and create life-changing moments of healing and hope.

Guest

For over 25 years, non-profit organization Musicians On Call (MOC) has been matching volunteers with healthcare facilities nationwide to “deliver the healing power of music” where it is most needed. Its musicians have performed for more than 1.2 million patients, making it the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals. Today, we’re joined by MOC’s COO, Katy Epley, to explore how MOC spreads notes of hope and healing when people need them most, why demand for these programs is skyrocketing, and how we may want to join people like Bruce Springsteen and Kelsea Ballerini in being part of this mission.

Notes

We discuss:

• How live music transforms sterile hospital rooms into human spaces, easing fear, anxiety, and loneliness for patients, loved ones, and caregivers.
• What factors have led to skyrocketing demand for MOC services.
• MOC offers a variety of programs: in-person bedside visits, streaming and virtual performances, and special songwriting programs for patients.
• Music is entertainment (not therapy) in this context, but research shows it can lower blood pressure, improve mood, and positively change the hospital environment.
• The organization partners with both non-celebrity and celebrity musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, and Wynton Marsalis. What draws musicians – including so many celebrity artists – to partner with MOC?
• Volunteer musicians receive training to navigate healthcare settings, including song selection and patient sensitivity considerations.
• Non-musician volunteers are also needed can also get involved through time or financial contributions.
• Special holiday-season opportunities and volunteer benefits.
• Why you may want to make this organization part of your new-year strategy for giving back AND unlocking joy and fulfillment in your own life all year long!
• Memorable stories of lives who were touched through MOC and music’s profound impact on wellbeing and connection.
• MOC volunteer Kelly Clarkson says: “Being involved with Musicians On Call has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I consider it a great gift to be able to share music and bring smiles to these brave children and their loved ones. It is healing for us all and I can’t wait to do it again!”

Connect/Other Resources

• Website: www.musiciansoncall.org
• Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn: @musiciansoncall
• TikTok: @musiciansoncallorg

Other episodes we mentioned or that you may enjoy:

• Ep. 218: How a Bruce Springsteen Concert Saved My Life – One Woman’s Story of Depression, Hope, and Rediscovering Life at 60; with Anne Abel
• Ep. 217: Bridging Medicine and the Arts – How Music and the Arts Shape Better Physicians; with Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH
• Ep. 12: Coldplay’s Music Therapy for Kids Suffering Illness: with Melodic Caring Project’s Levi & Stephanie Ware
• Ep. 185: Loving Life… all of it – a journey with cancer, music, and healing; with Amy Camie, CTM-CCM
• Ep. 22: Putting Joy on the Menu for Hospitalized Kids, with Children’s Cancer Association’s MyMusicRx
• Ep. 43: A combat veteran tells his story and shares how music is serving those who serve our country, with CreatiVets’ Richard Casper
• View all episodes related to Science & Health

In-Episode Promo

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Coda

Katy shares her personal story of the day she put Musicians On Call’s mission to the test!

Closing Words

What a great story of putting this mission to the test! Thanks so much to Katy and the MOC team for enhancing lives with music – for patients, their loved ones, hospital staff, and the volunteers themselves! Whether you consider yourself a musician or not, I hope this conversation inspires you to make music a part of your holiday – and new year – strategy for your own well-being and for giving back and paying it forward in your community.

You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn; and by signing up for my monthly e-Newsletter.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, may your life be enhanced with music.

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