An Unprecedented Celebration of 10 Years

True to its signature grassroots style, Music For Everyone celebrated 10 years of bringing music to the Lancaster community with an unconventional event. So vibrantly different from the typical nonprofit organization “gala,” it was tagged “The MFE Un-Gala,” and the party blazed a smokin’-hot, uncharted trail for celebrating a milestone.

Ten years ago, John Gerdy could no longer stand by and watch the funding of music and arts programs being slashed from school budgets nationwide. So, he reacted locally. By establishing Music For Everyone – an organization focused on bringing music programs back to schools and the Lancaster community – John mobilized a force that has invested more than $1 million to date into Lancaster County’s 16 school districts and community arts groups through grants, scholarships and program support.

Gathering vital donor and volunteer support along the way, Music For Everyone has also initiated Music Fridays, bringing live performances to downtown Lancaster’s streets; Keys for the City, bringing collaboration among local artists and designers to place creatively decorated pianos throughout the city, making Lancaster the street piano capital of the world; the Festival of Voices and more, all working to strengthen the role of music in our community.

How would they celebrate the milestone? A fancy black-tie dinner? An auction of exclusive, high-end items? Think again. “Fun, funky, inclusive” are the notes that resonate with Music For Everyone’s constituents. This group marches to a different beat: unabashedly fun!