MUSICIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In this short documentary about MusicMends, meet Andrea and some musicians as well as, hear what these shows mean to those on the mend.
MusicMends serves as a resource to help link various groups in the community with musicians. Andrea’s love for music, her support of local singer-songwriters and her passion to help those in need, especially seniors, is the reason she volunteers her time in this space. In 2018, she started a simple project - to bring quality music to those on the mend in one Arlington nursing home and has since connected with over a dozen facilities in DC, Maryland & Virginia. Her latest connection is with Children's National Hospital in DC which has partnered with Carnegie Hall's Weill Institute's Lullaby Project, a program where artists write and sing lullabies for babies in the Nicu Unit.
Andrea's reputation for setting the musicianship-bar high has led many nursing facilities, hospitals, private individuals and civic event sponsors to contact her to connect them with artists in all genres for both paid and volunteer gigs. Andrea volunteers to serve as a reference for those seeking musicians for various events, and for musicians who seek meaningful gigs.
They say, "If you build it, they will come." Andrea built an idea and the outpouring of participation (over 600 gigs, with nearly 250 artists), many who continue to play in this often-overlooked space, is a testament to this adage. Many participants noted that playing for groups of patients or seniors, providing individual bedside serenades and/or performing online shows during COVID, has been the most meaningful gigs of their careers.
Disclaimer: MusicMends does not accept any fees, commissions or anything of value and does not participate in any transactions in connection with paid events. MusicMends does not conduct background screenings of artists, nor does it provide training of any kind nor referrals for music therapy. The facilities, event staff and others who hire or book volunteers are responsible for all required screenings and/or trainings. MusicMends’ role is to connect those in this space. Artists who volunteer or obtain paid gigs via a MusicMends connection, assume all risks associated with their gigs.
Andrea's reputation for setting the musicianship-bar high has led many nursing facilities, hospitals, private individuals and civic event sponsors to contact her to connect them with artists in all genres for both paid and volunteer gigs. Andrea volunteers to serve as a reference for those seeking musicians for various events, and for musicians who seek meaningful gigs.
They say, "If you build it, they will come." Andrea built an idea and the outpouring of participation (over 600 gigs, with nearly 250 artists), many who continue to play in this often-overlooked space, is a testament to this adage. Many participants noted that playing for groups of patients or seniors, providing individual bedside serenades and/or performing online shows during COVID, has been the most meaningful gigs of their careers.
Disclaimer: MusicMends does not accept any fees, commissions or anything of value and does not participate in any transactions in connection with paid events. MusicMends does not conduct background screenings of artists, nor does it provide training of any kind nor referrals for music therapy. The facilities, event staff and others who hire or book volunteers are responsible for all required screenings and/or trainings. MusicMends’ role is to connect those in this space. Artists who volunteer or obtain paid gigs via a MusicMends connection, assume all risks associated with their gigs.
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