You Can Help Deliver the Healing Power of Music!
Make a donation to support Musicians On Call here.
Bedside Performance Program
Bedside Performances are provided each week by volunteer local musicians who go room-to-room at participating healthcare facilities and perform for patients and their families. Musicians are escorted during their visits by volunteer guides who are selected and trained to meet the requirements of both the WXPN Musician On Call program and the participating healthcare facility.
Since 2004, WXPN Musicians On Call has made a difference in the lives of more than 98,000 patients and their families by bringing live music to the bedsides of patients through weekly programs at:
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP)
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
- Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
- Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
- Christiana Care Health System’s Wilmington Hospital
- Bryn Mawr Hospital, part of Main Line Health (launched June 2017)
WXPN Musicians On Call is the non-profit partnership between WXPN and the successful New York-based Musicians On Call program. Working with the New York office on training and bookings, WXPN calls on its community of local musicians and passionate listeners to deliver the WXPN Musicians On Call services. A groundswell of volunteer support makes these programs possible.
Become a Volunteer Musician or Guide
- Musicians perform for hospital patients and their families in private rooms, waiting areas, and recreation rooms. Generally we look for soloists and duos to play. We ask that you commit to 12 hospital visits per year (amounting to roughly two hours per month) and to attend an orientation program.
- Guides meet musicians at the hospital, communicate with hospital staff, introduce musicians to patients, walk with musicians as they go from room to room, and generally facilitate the Musicians On Call experience.
After an interview and training session, new guides accompany experienced guides twice before becoming a "full-fledged" guide. We ask that guides give a time commitment of 24 visits per year. Since the average minimum monthly time requirement is only four hours per month, you can participate in the program, spread the healing power of music, and still have time to listen to XPN!
To apply: Complete the online application today. Please allow at least two weeks for the NYC Musicians On Call office to review your application and get back to you.Project Playback
Through this unique program, WXPN Musicians On Call pairs up a professional musician with long-term residents at a healthcare facility for six to eight weekly sessions in order to create original music. Once created, the songs are pressed on a CD and a CD Release Party is held for the patients and their families. Most recently, musician Scot Sax led a Project Playback series with the residents at the Veterans Administration Community Living Center in West Philadelphia. Learn more and sample two of the songs produced here: TheKey.XPN.org.
Songs to Lift Your Spirits
Tune into some music to soothe your soul with this Spotify playlist featuring most of the music from the 88 Songs To Lift Your Spirit Countdown that aired on WXPN in April 2013. Find it here.
You Can Help Deliver the Healing Power of Music!
