PWGI Mission statement:

People Who GET It exists to foster and promote choral and acoustic music in North America.

People Who GET It seeks to strengthen and advance organizational and individual initiatives in music through education, networking, advocacy, and professional and field development.

 

Who We Are And What We Do

Welcome to the world of People Who GET It

 

People Who Get What?

People Who GET It, Inc.(PWGI) came into existence because Billie Fredholm has been immersed in choral and acoustic music for decades as a singer, teacher, conductor, and constant student. Since there was no one place she could go to do all the projects in her imagination, she decided to create a place of her own. The name of the organization came from long conversations over the years with and about musicians, and people in general. There are those who GET what music is and does, and those who don't. There are those who play and sing more than notes on a page... those who's music creates magic and healing for everyone. PWGI's purpose is to gather those musicians who do, and to share them with everyone they can.

In the Beginning

One idea Billie had in the beginning was to help her nephew, Jeremiah Johnsen of Fistful of Nickels, get his acoustic career off the ground. Billie wanted to help him record a CD, and get it manufactured and out, so he could go on tour and start making a living doing what he loves. Thankfully, she was able to raise funds to do exactly that, and he is now touring several states. The band he sings with - Joe Worrel and The Last Free Exit Band - is on tour most of the year.

A List of Dreams

Billie has a huge list of dreams for this organization. Already, PWGI has brought internationally known acoustic artists to town - Stephen Bennett, Andy McKee, Masa Sumide, Dan LaVoie, Thomas Leeb, Bill Barwick - and has hosted concerts at The Orpheum, The Artichoke, Mosley Street Melodrama, and Billie's house. To further the mission, she plans to bring in Antsy McClain, Jaquie Gipson, and more incredible artists, as she finds them. Your gift will make this possible.

A Community Activity

Singing is a community building activity, too. Billie plans for people to be a part of PWGI's choral music community. Her plan is to build up the hearts, minds and spirits of the community as a whole by bringing in Bobby McFerrin - solo artist, musicial genius, and conductor - to present a concert utilizing area musicians in a Requiem he will conduct. She has been in contact with Bobby's management, and they say he is able and willing - all they need to do is raise $50,000!!! Your contribution will help make this a reality.

Music for Healing

One additional opportunity came to Billie after she heard an interview on NPR with Dr. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist who wrote the book, Musicophilia. She began to consider music therapy as an option, especially because music had been such a healing force in her life. Soon after the thought entered her mind, she received the first scholarship ever awarded through Wesley Medical Center in Wichita to become what is called a Certified Music Practitioner. This certification is earned through Music for Healing and Transition. Not long after Billie began her training, she was able to play guitar for her sister, Lynn, who had been admitted to Wesley Medical Center with a relapse of Lymphoma. Sadly Lynn has passed, but Billie will always have the memory of playing at her bedside, and know that she was able to bring music to the one who taught her to play guitar. It is her goal to do the same for others. Your contributions will help her pay for expenses to get the training Wesley has financed.

All-Inclusive

Billie is very adamant about PWGI remaining an all-inclusive entity. She wants people to participate because they believe in the mission, not because benefits are held back unless people become members. This is NOT a membership organization. Any good PWGI can do is for those who get what music is and does. It really is that simple.

The Future

More projects are listed on the home page, and the list will, indeed, keep growing. If you have questions or thoughts, please feel free to contact Billie at pwgi@cox.net. And if you are able, please donate any amount you can to further the mission. PWGI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, so all donations are tax deductible.


Billie Fredholm
Founder and Executive Director
People Who GET It, Inc.
Fed. ID14-1863657