NEWS & EVENTS:
4.8.23 MMMF All-Stars sensory-friendly concert at Twin Oaks Library Austin
We are kickstarting Autism Awareness/Acceptance month off with another All Abilities Rock concert series event on Saturday, April 8th from 1-4pm at the Twin Oaks Library in Austin! More info here: All Abilities Rock with the MMMF All-Stars 4/8/23
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12.16.22 Out now!! Devin Gutierrez ‘s Christmas single “Someday at Christmas” is available for streaming and download on all digital platforms. This is a very special Christmas song by Stevie Wonder from 1967 that pleads for peace and love instead of war and hate, and to remind us of what Christmas is for. Please listen, download, and share the love! Recorded at Charlie Harper Music with MMMF.
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12.12.22 Meet the Founder and Director of MMMF and hear the story behind the organization!
Voyage Austin Magazine: Meet Julie Frost of Music Moves Mountains Foundation
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11.1.22 #GivingTuesday is just around the corner! Join us in the world’s largest day of giving – and remember that many platforms will match your donations to make the greatest impact in your community! Giving the gift of music can change lives! We serve our most vulnerable populations: children, adults, and elders experiencing mental or physical challenges and conditions, Veterans, houseless, disadvantaged, and marginalized communities, and underserved schools. As a small, volunteer-run non-profit organization, we have limited resources – but, as you can see from our incredible work over the past ten years, we have covered a lot of ground and changed a lot of lives. There are many ways to contribute and make an impact in the community. Let me count the ways…here are ten, in fact, for every year we’ve been moving mountains:
1. Make a tax-deductible donation via any of our online platforms
2. Sponsor a program (All Abilities Rock, Play It Forward, or Feeding the Soul)
3. Start a fundraiser via Facebook, school, workplace, or community group
4. Offer an in-kind item or service
5. Volunteer or partner
6. Purchase an item on our wish-list
7. Attend a benefit concert or event
8. Designate us when shopping or selling via Charity eBay, Amazon Smile, PayPal Giving, Give with Bing
9. Give a legacy gift in honor of a loved-one, or donate in lieu of a birthday gift
10. Spread the word
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10.29.22 What a beautiful coming together of the community for refugee families and friends! Thank you to Michael Longoria, Nick Litterski, Devin Gutierrez, and Amber Nichols of tuneBugz for providing music outreach and to the case workers, interpreters, and volunteers at Refugee Services Texas in Austin for facilitating! Music is a Universal language we can all understand and share. It not only connects us but also allows healing, grounding, and communication for those experiencing trauma and displacement. If you want to help sponsor more music access to refugee kids and adults seeking music education and outreach, please donate now! Your contribution also supports working musicians and educators!
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7.17.22 Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate 10 years as a non-profit giving access to music therapy, education, and outreach and raise funds for our special music scholarship in memory of Scotty Mescal (designated to the Austin School of Music)! Shoutout to the bands, sponsors, community partners, and volunteers who made it all possible! And to the Far Out Lounge crew for their support!
The Music Moves Mountains Foundation set to celebrate its 10th Anniversary with All-Star Benefit Concert & Jam-a-Thon on July 17th from 3-10pm at the Far Out Lounge
The Music Moves Mountains Foundation will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an all-day jam-a-thon at The Far Out Lounge and Stage on Sunday, July 17th from 3pm-10pm. Performing will be an all-star line-up of past alumni, mentors, and program recipients including Kevin McKinney, Larry Seaman, Cid Sanchez w/ Rockville Blues (Adam Johnson, Vic Gerard, Nico Leophonte), Devin Gutierrez, Hudson & the MMMF All-Stars, Favor, and special guest Tia Carrera. This one is extra special, not only because it is a milestone year, but also because MMMF will be launching a special music scholarship fund in memory of their dear friend and supporter, Scotty Mescal (whose face is painted next to the stage by Tim Kerr). The fund will be designated to the Austin School of Music for future rockers. Donations from artist/musician Tim Kerr and No Comply Skateshop will be auctioned at the show to kick-start the fund. All other proceeds will go into MMMF’s fund for music therapy and outreach programs. There will also be a silent auction with rock-and-roll collectibles from legendary rock photographer Bob Gruen and raffles from local businesses like Strait Music, Antone’s Record Shop, Book People, The Soup Peddler, and Tito’s. Community partners The Austin School of Music, the World Federation of Music Therapy, and TuneBugz (for the little rockers) will be on hand for learning opportunities. And our buddies over at Homeslice Pizza will be feeding the band and crew! There will be music trivia prizes and interactive stations to participate in music, art, and a dedication wall. Thank you to our media sponsor The Austin Chronicle!!
Voted ‘Best New Music Venue’ by the Austin Music Awards, The Far Out Lounge has a fun, cool indoor lounge with a full bar and a beautiful, spacious acre of land with an outdoor stage, food trucks, shaded picnic tables, local vendor markets, and water stations for humans and dogs. The venue is located at 8504 South Congress, Austin, TX 78745. The event is all ages, family friendly, ADA accessible with free parking; doors open at 2pm, music starts at 3pm. There is a suggested $20 donation (kids 12 and under are free). For more info, visit www.thefaroutaustin.com ; Tickets are available online or at the door. Get tickets: https://bit.ly/faroutMMMF
Visit the FB event page to get updates: MMMF 10th anniversary benefit FB event page
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JULY 2022 – Celebrating 10 Years of moving mountains!!
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3/14/22
What a wonderful time we had celebrating the official record release of “Peripheral Vision” from MMMF-sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez ! Thank you to legendary Austin band Blue Mist featuring Robert Kelley, D-Madness, Rodney Hyder, Jimmy Vinson, Marcus Cardwell (all alumni from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired) and Brad Shultz for supporting, and to our special guest Chris Cebrian for opening. Here are some shots and footage from the show, recorded at the East Austin Piano Shop by Collin Shook. This is what accessibility, inclusivity, and equity looks like. Amazing things can happen when given the opportunity and the platform. Thank you to all of our movers and shakers for helping Devin’s dream as an artist become reality! #AllAbilitiesRock #DevinGutierrezMusic
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3/11/22
Watch Devin Gutierrez on Fox 7 Austin’s “Tuning In” with Casey Claiborne
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1/24/22
Watch Devin Gutierrez featured on CBS / KEYE morning show ‘We Are Austin’!
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12/1/21
MMMF releases debut album by sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez!
The Music Moves Mountains Foundation is proud to present “Peripheral Vision,” a debut solo album by sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez. The album is a collection of live performances from three different livestreams recorded in 2020 and 2021 at the East Austin Piano Shop by Collin Shook. The album is a tasteful mix of acoustic and electric covers of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, and Ray Charles/Hoagy Carmichael, and features two originals by Devin as well as a bonus demo recorded in his home studio. Guests on the album include some of Austin’s most esteemed musicians: Chris Maresh, Nico Leophonte, Paul Deemer, Collin Shook, D-Madness, and Rodney Hyder. “Peripheral Vision” is available now on all digital platforms distributed by Distrokid as well as Bandcamp https://devingutierrez.bandcamp.com/album/peripheral-vision-live-from-the-east-austin-piano-shop . Visit www.devingutierrez.com for more information.
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11/11/21
Newsletter: Give the power of music this #VeteransDay & #GivingTuesday! (mailchi.mp)
Thank you to Strait Music for their donation to support our efforts to supply Veterans with the tools they need to heal!
Music has been used as medicine for centuries, but it wasn’t until after WWI that music was accepted as a clinical-based, therapeutic medical practice when hospitals noticed the incredible impact it had on soldiers recovering from the war. Through the years, music therapy programs at VA centers have helped so many military members work through mental and physical challenges that often don’t get addressed in traditional medical settings. There is a lot of training and preparation to enter the military, but we need to do more to help our soldiers fully transition, deal with experiences, and heal properly once back home. Many will face PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and suicide after risking everything to help others. It is up to us as a society to provide our Vets the tools that they need, not just to survive – but to thrive. Music provides a safe space and an outlet to re-connect and feel human again. It also provides a sense of purpose and community. Please consider joining our efforts to support in the way we know best – with the power of music. Thank you to Strait Music in Austin for joining these efforts in helping provide these tools. Here is a word from our friend, who is a Veteran, volunteer, and music therapist at the VA, Abraham Ludwig, reflecting on the need for support.
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10/31/21
The Music Moves Mountains Foundation hosted a special sensory-friendly concert on October 31st, 2021 in Austin at Pease Park’s Tudor Cottage Terrace. The Old Souls along with boogie-woogie pianist Henri Herbert and MMMF sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez brought fun, family-friendly tunes to “Boo-gie” down to on Halloween. This concert series is designed for all ages and abilities to enjoy live music in a safe, accessible, and adaptable environment, Although Austin is known as the “live music capital of the world,” the special needs and disability community are often left out of the mix despite music’s massive impact on this vulnerable population. This concert series also provides the underserved an opportunity to access live music with no barriers or judgment and to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in an accepting, beautiful, and loving atmosphere.
Photos from MMMF’s “BOO-gie in the Park” for All Abilities
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9.26.21
Huge thanks to Guestroom Records in OKC for donating this record player and box of LPs to us last weekend! When we delivered them to the VA Center in Norman, we were greeted by a dog named Sergeant and a resident who lit up when seeing us. If you are in the OKC or Austin metro area and have records, CDs, iPods, radios, instruments or any music equipment you don’t need any more and are thinking of donating, please consider us. We promise to get it to those most in need of some musical joy!
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6.5.21
What a show and an incredible coming together of the community! Our Tribute to Stevie Wonder is in the books and will definitely go down in history. This was our first live show coming out of the pandemic, the first we have ever livestreamed with an audience, the first concert with a full band led by our sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez, the first I have produced working with five blind musicians, the first that Hudson worked with his bandmates completely independent, and just the best teamwork all around! The love and support was off the charts. And of course, my heart is full that we finally got to share the music of Stevie. It was just pure joy, good vibes, and fun times working with this amazing crew of musicians, volunteers and audience. Hats off to Collin Shook at the East Austin Piano Shop for trusting me with this adventure and juggling this circus like a boss. Thank you to our sponsors: Homeslice Pizza, Music Water, Juiceland, Tim Kerr, and Space Rehearsal. Props to Kim Yarbrough for capturing the magic with these beautiful shots (feel free to tag and use, and credit Kim for her work). You can re-watch the livestream anytime from MMMF’s FB or YT channel. Thank you to everyone that joined us, donated, and helped us raise funds for music therapy, education and outreach! -JF
The Music Moves Mountains Foundation hosted its annual benefit concert on June 5th, 2021 at the East Austin Piano Shop with a celebration of Stevie Wonder with sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez (keys/vocals/harmonica) and his band Devin G and the Wonder Vault featuring alumni from the Texas School for the Blind: D-Madness (bass), Rodney Hyder (drums), Jimmy Vinson (keys), and Marcus Cardwell (sax/flute), plus special guests Brad Shultz (guitar), Jeff Lofton (trumpet), James Robinson (guest vocals), Sheree Smith (lead and backing vocals), Julianna Sheffield (BV) and Georgia Bramhall (BV).
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Check out our YouTube playlist of highlights from our Tribute to Stevie Wonder 6/5/21
5.17.21
MMMF Newsletter MMMF Turns 9 / Tribute to Stevie Wonder
2.26.21 Wow! Talk about “playing it forward!” Tonight during the Power of Friendship benefit concert, Devin Gutierrez’s cover of “You’ve Got a Friend” helped raise almost $20,000 for aid and relief for our community hit hard by the winter storm disaster in Texas. Thank you so much to the organizers (Austin Classical Guitar, KMFA Classical 89.5, Conspirare, and the Austin Chamber Music Center) for all of their efforts – and for the honor for Devin to share a platform with Oliver Rajamani, Conspirare, Michelle Schumann, and the Miro Quartet. So inspiring to see the power of music in full force tonight! Bravo!👏🏻❤️
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2.11.21
This week 50 years ago, Carole King released the beautiful album “Tapestry” with Lou Adler producing. One of those songs was “You’ve Got a Friend” which was in response to a line in James Taylor’s earlier song “Fire and Rain” singing “….I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.” James Taylor and Joni Mitchell both appeared on her recording, and James later recorded the song on his own album. There are many incredible versions of this timeless tune, and we are incredibly humbled that in celebrating, she shared our sponsored artist Devin Gutierrez’s take from his latest show at the East Austin Piano Shop. This has always been my go-to song when I’m down and it’s just as powerful today as ever before! #caroleking #tapestry #tapestry50 #louadler #youvegotafriend #jtyouvegotafriendchallenge #devingutierrez #allabilitiesrock #eastaustinpianoshop #musicmovesmountainsfoundation
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Past news & events from 2020
12.31.20
We need music more than ever! Catch up on our latest newsletter: MMMF 2020 Re-cap Newsletter
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12.5.20
Thanks to everyone who joined us online to hear Devin Gutierrez and his band last night! We will be releasing some live cuts for download soon, so stay tuned. Until then, you can re-watch the whole show here:
Devin Gutierrez & Friends livestream from the East Austin Piano Shop
Devin Gutierrez is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and teacher based in Austin, Texas. He is on the Autism Spectrum and was born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia which left him blind. Music has always been his passion and lifeline, and he cites Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Donny Hathaway, and Ray Charles among some of his influences. Devin teamed up with the Music Moves Mountains Foundation to join in their mission of making music more accessible to those in need. The Foundation aims to help Devin and others get the musical support they need to be happy, healthy, hopeful and thrive in society.
Follow Devin at https://www.facebook.com/devingutierrezmusic/
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12.1.20
#GivingTuesday is the Tuesday directly after Thanksgiving and is “a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.” Of course, we believe helping those in need should be something that we do every day – but bigger mountains can be moved if we all lift together at the same time, right? All donations made on #GivingTuesday will be matched by companies like PayPal, Facebook, GoFundMe Charity, and Fidelity Charitable to double our impact. And remember, there are many ways to get involved and invest in your community. Check out our Give page and see how you can become a mover and a shaker! https://musicmovesmountains.org/give/
AND visit our new AmazonSmile charity wish list:
We urge you to always shop local, but for those who can’t, this is an easy way to donate items we need for our programs and get it shipped directly to us! Or, use this list to buy local, or donate a used item!
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8.15.20
Thank you to the East Austin Piano Shop for hosting Devin Gutierrez with his first solo livestream! Big shout out to those of you who tuned in, donated, and gave such supportive love. Special thanks to Collin Shook for the being the master behind the scenes and for sitting in on a couple of tunes! It was a beautiful thing!
Click here to join this Facebook event!
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7.5.20
Right now is a very trying time. Fundraising in this current crisis and recession is extremely challenging so we are limited in our current services. Many of our music mercenaries have been hit hard financially, so we launched a GoFundMe Charity campaign for a special emergency fund to “play it forward” and support them in this time of uncertainty. We added the new SHOP page on our website to offer audio downloads of our past benefit concerts to purchase and to offer as perks for donating to this special fund. All proceeds will go directly to MMMF’s musicians, music educators, MTs, and partners in need.
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3.10.20
Lou Adler is not only one of my heroes, he is also a big supporter of the Music Moves Mountains Foundation. Aside from his countless contributions to the music and film industry, his charitable work is just as impressive. We just received another generous donation from Lou and the Monterey International Pop Music Festival Foundation to help make music more accessible to those in need. This couldn’t have come at a more critical time with the current state of affairs and will help us continue to support our community! If you are unfamiliar with Lou or the MIPFF, check this out. Monterey Pop was the first of its kind, and what many people don’t know is that all the artists played for free to support the Foundation which still generates funds to charities like ours after 50 years!
https://montereyinternationalpopfestival.com/pages/foundation
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3.8.20
Thank you to all of our movers and shakers that made this year’s benefit concert so much fun! We rocked it ’70s style while raising funds for music therapy, education and community outreach. Huge thank you to film/music producer Lou Adler for donating some signed ’70s memorabilia for our silent auction, to all the incredible musicians, our volunteers and supporters who made it all come together.
Check out the MMMF 3.8.20 benefit concert photo album here: MMMF benefit 3.8.20 Photo Album
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3.2.20
Thank you to International renowned pianist Henri Herbert for a stellar performance for the students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired tonight! And shoutout to the equally talented Devin Gutierrez for playing a new original for us!
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Past news & events from 2019
12.13.19
Thank you to our volunteers Gregg Standridge and John Barbour for bringing some musical joy to Among Friends Activity Center, and to Kenneth Heffron for donating a brand new acoustic guitar to the center, and to Jimmy and Terrence for all the support! It was such a blast singing along to some Gospel, classic Christmas tunes and requests for Van Morrison, Neil Diamond and Elvis with some new friends!
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11.26.19
Check out our latest newsletter! It’s time to gear up for the season of giving! MMMF Newsletter 11.26.19 #GivingTuesday
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11.15.19
What a beautiful experience it was to host International piano phenom Henri Herbert (click on pic to listen) this month at Austin’s Rosedale School (AISD’s only school exclusively for students with multiple disabilities and profound needs). Access to quality live music is essential in our programs, whether it’s for children, adults or elders. Music is the greatest equalizer that unifies and bonds us all.
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10.1.19
We were so honored to have been invited to participate in #ACLCARES at Austin City Limits Festival this year! So awesome to be included with this group of amazing non-profit organizations who are all making a big difference in their communities. https://www.aclfestival.com/cares/
Thank you to everyone who came by to play, engage, share stories and learn about our mission! Click here to watch a recap video and listen to lyrics contributed by ACL Music Fest attendees to our interactive songs arranged, played and sang by Board-Certified Music Therapist Abraham Ludwig of Austin! Music is our home and we are family!
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6.30.19
Thank you to Akin Francis and The Beatle Boys for their performances at the Austin History Center as part of our free All Abilities Rock sensory-friendly concert series! And shout-out to KOOP’s DJ Rush Evans for supporting!
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6.19.19
MMMF & The Beatle Boys in Studio1A on KUTX 98.9 Listen to our taping on Eklektikos KUTX 98.9 in Studio1A from Thursday, June 20th to hear The Beatle Boys play and us talk about their upcoming performance at our next sensory-friendly concert! Thank you to John Aielli and all the KUTX staff for having us on! It was such an honor for the boys to play in Studio1A!
The Beatle Boys & MMMF in Studio1A on KUTX 98.9
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6.2.19
Read our latest newsletter here: MMMF Newsletter 6.1.19
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4.20.19
We had so much fun at our annual benefit / 1960’s music party in Austin to raise funds for music therapy and education! If you missed it, you can watch some of the sets here in HD with a stereo mix thanks to Curt Ganem / www.prosceniumvisual.com ! Thank you to three generations of talented local musicians who made it happen!
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View photos of the benefit by Kim Yarbrough Photography here!
Check out our newsletter with annual benefit concert Event Info
Huge thank you to The Who who graciously donated two limited edition vinyl box sets of their 1960’s singles in support of our benefit concert’s silent auction! These were direct from their headquarters in London!
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4.13.19
Michael and Jan from Grupo Massa perform some beautiful world rhythms at our last stop in the sensory-friendly concert series at Pleasant Hill Library in Austin!
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2.24.19
Larry Seaman, Lisa Gamache Rodriguez and Hector Munoz provided the jams at our second stop in our sensory-friendly concert library series! Thank you to Becky Rich-Wulfmeyer at the Yarborough branch for hosting us!
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1.19.19
Thank you to our musical mercenaries Katie, Jennifer, and Johannes for their beautiful performance today at our first stop in our sensory-friendly concert library series at the Twin Oaks branch in Austin!
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1.1.19
Much love to our movers and shakers for their recent instrument donations! Guitars and gear from Steven Gerlofs and Temple Ray (from the management at the legendary Rupert Neve Designs) are being used to help our veterans at the VA in Temple, TX (with music therapist Abraham Ludwig) and to help underserved kiddos rock out through our Play It Forward initiative! Yay!
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Past News and Events 2018:
10.3.18
Thank you to all our Movers & Shakers who made this happen! See three generations of Austin musicians pay tribute to Sir Paul to raise funds for music therapy and education!
Check out the photo gallery:
Photos from Songs of Sir Paul!
Thank you to DJ Rush Evans of Off The Beatle Path on KOOP radio 91.7 for having The Beatle Boys play and talk about our upcoming Songs of Sir Paul benefit for MMMF!
https://www.koop.org/programs/beatle-path
Thank you to We Are Austin on CBS morning television for inviting us to come o the show to talk about Songs of Sir Paul and The Beatle Boys! https://cbsaustin.com/features/we-are-austin/supporting-therapy-healing-through-the-music-moves-mountains-benefit-concert
FB event page – Songs of Sir Paul 10.3.18 @ One-2-One Bar in Austin, TX
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Newsletter: Celebrating six years of MMMF! https://mailchi.mp/ac20e563cfad/6yearsmmmf
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So happy to see music back in the community after months of rebuilding from Hurricane Harvey. It was an honor to team up with Martina McBride’s charity Team Music is Love to help the Mauriceville Middle School Band in Orange, Texas get new instruments and sheet music! We were able to make a substantial donation with the help of Lou Adler/ Monterey Int’l Pop Fest Foundation and the students of Band Aid School of Music. Many of these kids lost everything. Band IS family and music will get us all through the tough times!
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2. 2018 Thank you to the Austin Music Foundation for inviting us back to their annual Feel the Love Expo at Emo’s in Austin! It was such an honor to be recognized among all the amazing music charities by Mayor Adler and to share our mission with our community.
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2.18.18
Huge gratitude to all who made our Beatles tribute / MMMF benefit an incredible success and helped raise funds for music therapy and education!
Check out photos by local photographer Matt Hildebrand here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MusicMovesMountains.Org/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1424820967629884
Thank you to videographer Chris Green for capturing all of the amazing musicians who celebrated The Beatles with us!
Newsletter – Beatles tribute/MMMF benefit 2.18.18 @ One-2-One https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=30f9a0ac85
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2017 News & Events:
Thank you to everyone who donated to MMMF on #GivingTuesday or supported via online donations through AmazonSmile, Giving Assistant, Facebook Charity Fundraising, Paypal Giving, or eBay for Charity! To top it off, by sharing our story of giving, we were selected for a $500 grant by #MyGivingStory ! We’ll keep “playing” it forward!
We are so excited to announce that the Monterey International Pop Festival Foundation has donated $1000 to aid in our efforts to help the music community recover from the Hurricane Harvey disaster in S.E. Texas. In 1967, famed music producer/manager Lou Adler and a group of musicians decided to give back to the community by hosting the very first International music festival. Breakout artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Janis Joplin, The Who, Simon & Garfunkel, Mamas & Papas, The Animals and Jefferson Airplane all played for free at the Monterey Pop Fest so that proceeds from the concert and film generated funds for the Foundation. After 50 years, the legacy of this music and love lives on in moments like these. https://montereyinternationalpopfestival.com/pages/foundation We feel so honored to have been chosen to carry it on to help those in need.
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The students and staff at http://www.bandaidschoolofmusic.com in Austin had a special visit from the Director of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy / Grammys, Theresa Jenkins, to say thank you for their work in raising and donating $500 to MusiCares in order to help their music neighbors in S.E. Texas that were affected by Hurricane Harvey. We were so honored to help make a difference in our community and teach our future music leaders that the power of music can change lives! If you are a musician in need of assistance from a natural disaster or medical crisis, you can apply for aid at https://www.grammy.com/musicares/news/musicares-2017-hurricane-relief-efforts
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Huge props to these kids for rocking their hearts out today for their musician neighbors in S.E. Texas hit by Hurricane Harvey. They raised $600 in just a few hours at our ROCK FOR RELIEF benefit show at Band Aid School of Music in Austin! Thank you to all who supported, volunteered, donated – and best of all, helped them prove that they can make a difference with music!
We made the news!!! Thank you to KVUE / ABC Austin for covering the ROCK FOR RELIEF benefit concert today at Band Aid! http://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/news/local/aspiring-rock-stars-raise-funds-to-benefit-musicians-recovering-from-harvey/269-480004667
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We helped raise $400 for music scholarships for kids in need at the Band Aid School of Music’s South Austin location expansion grand opening party! Thank you to everyone who supported and donated silent auction items!
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At our partnered benefit concert on February 19th, 2017 in Austin, we were able to raise $2000 for the Band Aid School of Music’s scholarship fund for students of all abilities! Thanks to Band Aid’s student rock bands and staff, our special guests Kevin McKinney and Dan Dyer, our sponsors The Austin Chronicle and Austin Land & Cattle, the One-2-One Bar, all of our auction item donors, supporters, volunteers, friends, family, and movers and shakers, we are now able to make more opportunities for those in need of music! Check out the incredible work they are doing at Band Aid School of Music.
(pic: Band Aid student Casey, Band Aid Director James Mays, MMMF Director Julie Frost, and MMMF volunteer Hudson)
Thank you to the face of the Foundation, Hudson, who did his part by contributing a Who song with BASOM band coaches Andy Tenberg and Zach Gunn, and special guest Kevin McKinney! You can check out full setlists from all the bands from our awesome videographer here: Chris Green Productions
February 2017 MMMF Newsletter
MMMF & Band Aid School of Music Fundraiser
Thank you to Taylor Ellison at We Are Austin and the whole morning crew at CBS/KEYE for giving us a platform to talk about our upcoming benefit and the need for music therapy and education on 2.9.17!
Our volunteers Drew and Hudson holding it down at the “Feel the Love” expo at Emo’s in Austin 2.8.17 – thank you to the Austin Music Foundation for having us!
2015 Past Events & News:
Thank you to our musical volunteers during our “Feeding the Soul” music series this 2015 season. Giving the gift of music for those in need goes a long way!
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Oklahoma Today Nov Dec 2015 MMMF story
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4.7.15
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3.28.15 – Wow what a night last night! Hats off to our mighty captain Scott Keeton and his students at ACM@UCO for organizing a super successful benefit concert for MMMF at the Blue Door in OKC. And thank you once again to Greg Johnson and the Blue Door crew for hosting and always supporting our cause. Shout out to our in-kind donors who filled our bellies and spirits: Earl’s Rib Palace and Mustang Brewery, and to our volunteers James Reynolds and Kenzie Sublett. To all the local performers who gave their time and talent: Brauk Brashear, Ben Brock, Josh Qualls, Jade Castle, Jake Adams McGehee, Chelsey Cope, North Meets South, and The Indigos. Thank you to local music therapists Suzy Heppel and Jennifer Voss for bringing in the Southwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association conference participants, including the President Elect of the American Music Therapy Association – Jennifer Geiger, to be a part of this special night. And most of all, to all our supporters who came out and donated in order to help make music therapy available to those in need, we are so incredibly grateful for you. And special thanks to my folks, who always go the extra mile to help with our efforts – and last but not least, to the inspiration and face behind the Foundation, my son Hudson, for proving to me every day that this is all worth it. It takes a village to make change, and together we are moving mountains. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” You are all my heroes! Much love, Julie
Thank you to Christian Wilson at The Oklahoma Gazette for such a thoughtful story on the Music Moves Mountains Foundation and the benefit concert at The Blue Door. https://issuu.com/okgazette/docs/okg_3-25-15lr/44?e=0
2014 Past News & Events:
MMMF Fall/Winter 2014 Newsletter: http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=258d088f7d
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November 18, 2014 – We are so happy to announce the arrival of the generous instrument donations from NORCE (Northern Oklahoma Resource Center of Enid)! Huge gratitude to music therapist Elizabeth Allen who worked so hard to make this happen. It is heart-braking to see the state close down such a resourceful facility that provided so much for clients with developmental disabilities – including music therapy. But as that door closes, we aim to open new ones. MMMF is busy working on ways to generate these instruments back into the special needs community via our current programs, music therapists, adaptive music educators, or other non-profit organizations in need. Our first stop was delivering a Yamaha upright piano at OKC’s SixTwelve, a space dedicated to creativity and sustainability (co-founded by the amazing Amy Young, a music and arts educator). If you would like to help our efforts by helping cover moving costs, repair, and utilization of these instruments in community programs, please donate what you can!
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August 25, 2014 – Much love and gratitude to all of you donated your time, talent, and funds to support the MMMF/Strummerville benefit on 8.22.14 – you made it a great success! We raised approximately $1000 to kick-off of the fundraising for the special needs music scholarship! Here is some footage (filmed by Chris Green/sound mix by Katrina @ the Continental Club in Austin) from our incredible line-up who paid tribute to the music of Joe Strummer.
Check out some shots from the evening https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.574861329292523.1073741829.119185688193425&type=1
More details here: http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=d9f53add9d
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MMMF SUMMER 2014 NEWSLETTER http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=71213ecfb6
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May 21, 2014 – MMMF/Alive Inside to host benefit @ Blue Door 6.14.14
Read story in The Oklahoman about the Foundation and benefit concert: http://newsok.com/can-music-be-used-as-medicine-oklahoma-nonprofit-seeks-to-raise-awareness/article/4888666
Watch us on the news! http://www.okcfox.com/story/25734504/local-mom-moves-mountains-to-bring-music-therapy-to-okc
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tuM9hQgt7w[/youtube]
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May 25, 2014 — Thank you to our movers and shakers who joined us for our “End of School Year – Sensory Friendly Dance Party” ! It was so wonderful to see All Abilities Rock moving and a grooving. Special thanks to Sonder Music, Dance & Arts, Crimson & Whipped Cream, and to guest host James Reynolds!
2013 Past News & Events:
December 15, 2013 We’re collecting instruments and music gear again to build up our musical bank for next year. OKC/Norman area, drop-off at Sonder Music www.sondermusic.com. For other areas, we can arrange for pick-up or shipping.
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September 30, 2013 Benefit concert: A Tribute to the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival on November 24th in Austin, TX!
More details here: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=b503130e68&e=242f12e656
Thank you again to Lou Adler and the Monterey Int’l Pop Fest Foundation for your generous donation to MMMF on behalf of the musicians who played this beautiful charity event back in 1967! Check out legendary musician, artist, and writer Jesse Sublett’s blog on the event http://www.jessesublett.com/2013/11/10/monterey-pop-when-rock-stars-were-messiahs/
Thank you to photographer Dave Mead www.davemead.com for capturing the energy and fun from the night! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.452306464881344.1073741828.119185688193425&type=1
Watch a recap of the evening!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIFxHgUgNGI&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
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August 10, 2013 We are so happy to announce our first recipient of the “Play It Forward” initiative, 8-year-old Tony Underwood of Norman, OK. Tony suffers from Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy and wants to play music but is limited in his options and resources. We were able to help get him started with piano lessons with Rebecca Martino (Masters in Music Ed, Piano Pedagogy) at Sonder Music. Thank you to Lauren Sonder and Rebecca Martino for helping make this happen, and most of all, a big thanks to our donors for helping move a mountain! Tony, you’re going to rock this world!
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6-10-2013 DONATION ANNOUNCEMENT!
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO LOU ADLER AND THE MONTEREY INTERNATIONAL POP FESTIVAL FOUNDATION FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO OUR EFFORTS IN MAKING MUSIC MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE IN NEED. THEIR DONATION IS MADE “ON BEHALF OF THE ARTISTS THAT APPEARED AT THE FEST AND TO FURTHER THE SPIRIT THAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER IN 1967….MUSIC AND LOVE.” WE ARE HONORED TO BE IN THE COMPANY OF PAST RECIPIENTS SELECTED BY SOME OF THE ARTISTS WHO PARTICPATED IN THE CHARITY EVENT. THIS HISTORICAL FESTIVAL THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER DIVERSE ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD (LIKE OTIS REDDING, RAVI SHANKAR, THE WHO, HUGH MASEKELA, MAMAS AND THE PAPAS, AND JIMI HENDRIX) WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN AMERICA AND MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE WORLD. NOW ITS SPIRIT LIVES ON WITH US! THANK YOU MIPFF FOR YOUR LOVE! http://montereyinternationalpopfestival.com/festival/
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MMMF Newsletter Fall 2013 http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=84bea52e1bad9323f11c40ade&id=67a557a4a6
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6.29.13 Watch a clip from our last sensory-friendly concert with Kyle Reid, as part of our All Abilities Rock program:
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Pick up the April 15, 2013 issue of This Land Press to see our ad! Huge gratitude to these guys for their donation! http://thislandpress.com/
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4.6.13 Watch a recap of our latest benefit concert “Okie Folkies & Freaks: Songs of Oklahoma”:
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Recent press on the Foundation:
3.15.13 MMMF Norman Transcript Etc. 3.15.13
1.23.13 http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-17438-tune-in.html
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1.26.13 Watch a sample clip from one of our sensory-friendly music workshops for children with special needs.
2012 Past News & Events:
9.12.12 MMMF’s first benefit concert to launch awareness and fundraising for programs and services and a thank you to The Who for their support and to Antone’s for hosting!
