Ironically that idea had already been set in motion several years earlier during what was supposed to be a one-time fundraiser at her home to benefit Music on a Mission — an organization that brings music, in the form of concerts and lessons, to people who would otherwise not have access to it. During the event, one of the attendees spotted a huge old barn on her property, and got an interesting idea.
“My good friend Judge Miraldi, whose band was playing at the fundraiser, said he was starting a new band and asked if I had ever thought of using my barn as a music venue,” Zeidner recalls. Since the barn was large, old and dirty, she had never had such a thought. But Miraldi was motivated and sent a contractor to the house to begin a renovation. “Fourteen months later the barn was finished, and Music on a Mission had a new home and renewed drive.”
Zeidner says during the renovation, volunteers helped out every weekend, spending hours of their time and getting material donated from many places. “The whole thing was re-done and cleaned out in a short time and at very little cost. It is amazing.”
Now that the Barnful of Tunes is up and running, Zeidner hosts monthly fundraising events. Bands and musicians play for free, and attendance is by invitation only. But anyone can get on the invite list by submitting an email address to
musicmissioninc.com. The Barn accommodates about 90 people, and it’s BYO food and drink. Concertgoers usually donate a minimum of $10 to Music on a Mission in exchange for an evening of live music in an intimate and unusual setting. And while the organization is also helped with local grants and the Ohio Arts Council, the Barn offers a steady stream of financial support.
Music on a Mission books live musical acts to play at local hospitals, nursing homes, the Haven homeless shelter and the a crisis nursery. It also brings music education to young children who would otherwise have no way of getting it, such as children living in domestic violence shelters.
“Each program has different goals,” Zeidner explains. She says at a nursing home, an act might play oldies music for patients in the dementia unit to bring something familiar into their world. “It’s a way of communicating without acknowledging the deficits people might have. It also engages them in an activity and lets them interact with each other.”
Or, at a domestic violence shelter, where kids might not have an opportunity to learn music, Zeidner says Music on a Mission will provide onsite music education. “An instructor will go in and provide instrument exploration and help children learn musical concepts and develop rhythmic sense.” The music education program extends to special-needs facilities and other places where the therapeutic nature of music can do some good.
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Correction: The above story indicates anyone can be invited to fundraising concerts at the barn for Music on a Mission. The website provides opportunities for contacting Music on a Mission to inquire about whether the organization might be able to provide services to a particular group at its location or how to make a donation. However, the fundraising concerts at the barn are private events and are not open to the public.Correction: The above story indicates anyone can be invited to fundraising concerts at the barn for Music on a Mission. The website provides opportunities for contacting Music on a Mission to inquire about whether the organization might be able to provide services to a particular group at its location or how to make a donation. However, the fundraising concerts at the barn are private events and are not open to the public.
