Baum brings power of music to The Rolla Mission

Published 12:46 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026

The Kansas City Symphony was met with unfamiliar faces upon taking the stage for an evening of music on June 21. Making the trip from Rolla was Ronnie Baum along with 20 people from The Rolla Mission. Baum was once homeless himself and living at the shelter, but through hard work and support, he is now healthy and gainfully employed.

Through all his struggles, Baum says Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From The New World” was his source of personal inspiration. Upon learning the piece would be the finale of the June 21 concert, Baum says he could think of no better way to pay it forward than buying everyone at the shelter tickets to share the experience. He even chartered a bus from USA Tours to make sure no one was left behind.

“The 9th Symphony makes me feel at home,” Baum says. “It makes me forget all my problems and just know that everything is going to be okay. It just takes me away to a better place.”

Baum says it was Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 that carried him through his darkest times while incarcerated for possession of drug paraphernalia. He can still recall hearing a clip from the symphony’s second movement for the first time.

“It was only a snippet for me for quite a few months,” Baum says. “I was in prison, and they had these tablets with educational videos, and some about symphonies. I came across Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, where he composed it and why he composed it. It really resonated with me. I listened to that snippet every day. Finally, when I was able to get out, I was able to listen to the whole piece.”

After being released from prison, Baum faced more struggles without a support network and says he didn’t want to return to living on the streets.

“I think cold feet was the hardest part. I didn’t have good boots,” Baum says. “I heard about the shelter at The Mission. I remember my first day there. I instantly became comfortable. Everybody was friendly. It was a good atmosphere. It felt safe.”

With the help of The Rolla Mission, Baum found the resources he needed to leave behind his addiction and rediscover his purpose.

“They gave me a bicycle so that I could get around to search for jobs,” Baum says. “When I was there, I was able to find a job at McDonald’s, and they helped me get that. They helped me get my ID, which was not very easy to do.”

Today, Baum is working what he calls the best job of his life driving a forklift. He is also now active with Big Boy Men’s Ministry, which focuses on community service each weekend. Through it all, Baum says Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 has continued to be the anthem of his recovery.

“I just love his melodies,” Baum says. “I’ve listened to classical music for a little while now, and Beethoven and Mozart are good, but Dvorak, he really knows how to capture your emotions – how to get you lost in the music.”

Wanting to hear Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 live, Baum this year searched for upcoming performances and learned about the Kansas City Symphony’s June 21 concert. After initially purchasing a ticket for himself,

Baum reflected on just how much music has helped him heal. He then decided to do more.

“I was at work, and I do a lot of thinking at work, and I thought up the idea, maybe the people at The Mission might like to go,” Baum says. “I called the director, and she approved, and so I was able to bring The Mission.”

Baum says Big Boy Men’s Ministry partnered with Goodwill of Springfield to supply dress clothing for the June 21 concert. He says Guest Conductor Peter Oundjian flawlessly conducted the Kansas City Symphony. Its rendition of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 was magnificent, both as a performance and a personal affirmation.

“The second movement was the most healing and the fourth movement is more triumphant and makes you feel like an overcomer, like you can overcome anything,” Baum says. “After the show, we all ate afterwards, and everyone shared how they felt. They were very good people. You could tell they are in rough times right now, but they were all eager to listen to the music, which was what I was hoping for, that they would pay attention. They all listened and they all were very happy afterwards.”

Baum will graduate from Big Boy Men’s Ministry later this summer. Going forward, he says he wants to continue making a difference for others.

“Just going to a symphony, it’s nice, but there’s a lot more that can be done,” Baum says. “I feel like that’s not enough. I hope I can do more in the future. God shows us love every day. I hope to help others see that, see God’s love, and share it with everyone else.”