WXPN Musicians on Call

We bring live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities throughout the Delaware Valley.

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 50,000 patients and their families by bringing live music to the bedsides of patients through weekly programs at:

• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Hospital at 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

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.

CD Pharmacy Program

The WXPN community has donated hundreds of new and gently used CDs to build CD Pharmacies that are in more than a dozen healthcare facilities in the region. The CD Pharmacy program gives hospitalized patients access to hundreds of CDs along with CD players with which they can enjoy them at no charge.

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.

You Can Help Deliver the Healing Power of Music!

Make a Tax Deductible Donation

Make a contribution using our secure online form, or add an additional gift the next time you renew your XPN membership.

Donate CDs

You can help us put CD Pharmacies in more locations. Bring your new or gently used CDs to the World Cafe Live box office or to an XPN table at any of our XPN Welcomes events.

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.
  
  To apply: If you have a website that features your music, then fill out and submit our our online application. Or, download the WXPN Musicians On Call Volunteer Application (21KB PDF), complete the information requested and mail it to:
  WXPN Musicians On Call, Attn: Volunteer Musicians, 39 West 32nd Street, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10001-3842
• 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.