Music Performance Trust Fund Celebrates Ten Years of MusicianFest Grants for Seniors

The Music Performance Trust Fund's (MPTF) MusicianFest commemorates a decade of enriching the lives of seniors through live music. Since its inception, the initiative has invested over $2.5 million, sponsoring over 7,500 performances in senior centers, assisted living facilities, and hospitals.

In 2014, Grammy Award-winning artist Rosanne Cash and MPTF Trustee Dan Beck launched the first MusicianFest performance. The program, steered by Samantha Ramos, has engaged local union offices of the American Federation of Musicians, who have played a crucial role in organizing these events. Nearly 10,000 payments have been made to musicians, benefiting over 375,000 seniors.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, MusicianFest continued to deliver performances, leveraging live streams and outdoor concerts. In 2019, MPTF produced a documentary showcasing music’s impact on senior well-being. The Trust Fund also supports music education, community events, and scholarships.