WXPN’s Musicians On Call is a non-profit initiative that brings musicians to local hospitals to perform at patients’ bedsides. Since 2004, the program has touched the lives of more than 30,000 patients and their families in healthcare facilities throughout the Philadelphia region.

Over the past six years, 135 volunteer musicians and 38 volunteer guides have regularly participated in the program by providing weekly performances for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. In addition to live music, the program also provides local hospitals with CD Pharmacies featuring a CD listening library and CD players for patients’ use.

On Sunday, March 6, WXPN hosts the 7th Annual Musicians On Call Benefit Concert to bring music to hospital patients throughout the Delaware Valley.

The concert, featuring Josh Ritter and XPN local artists, begins at 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Tickets cost $25.

“We’re thrilled that Josh Ritter, Scot Sax, Lizanne Knott, Suzie Brown and Kuf Knotz are supporting WXPN Musicians On Call,” says Helen Leicht, host of WXPN Mid-days and Philly Local. “Each ticket purchased at $25 will help send musicians to visit three patients in hospitals throughout the region.”

WXPN Musicians On Call is the non-profit partnership between XPN and the New York-based Musicians On Call 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 families. The musicians are escorted during their visits by volunteer guides, who are selected and trained to meet the requirements of both the WXPN Musicians On Call program and the participating healthcare facility.

Anyone who would like to support WXPN Musicians on Call can make a donation online anytime at XPN.org/moc.

For more information about the Musicians on Call Benefit Concert, contact Kim Winnick at 215-573-3339 or email kwinnick@xpn.org.