Chicago

28Apr

Remembering Warren Pohl w

Warren Pohl (left in the photo above), Volunteer Musician for Musicians On Call in Chicago, was featured on a TODAY Show segment honoring lives lost to COVID-19. We are grateful to have Warren as a volunteer and thanks to his Volunteer partner, Randy Leggee, they performed for over 300 patients, families and caregivers. Before his passing, Warren recently shared with us what MOC meant to him: And this makes me think of your organization MOC and the motto, “the healing power of music”. It seems that the motto goes both ways. It’s great to be able to put a smile on a face, or a glint in the eye of someone stuck in a hospital…and better yet, see them lip sync along when we play. But selfishly for me, […]

03Mar

Meet Stan Garrison, Our F

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? Shirley Ryan Ability Lab How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 16 Months Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Guide What is your occupation outside of MOC? Currently, I am retired after 40 years in the Lift truck Industry. Do you have any hidden talents? I can sneeze like Donald Duck What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? Music has always been a big part of my life so it was an easy choice to join MOC. Volunteering with MOC reminds me that life is short and things can change in a blink of an eye. It allows me the opportunity to help patients & […]

17Dec

Meet David Dunne, Our Fea

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Chicago Methodist Senior Services. How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? I think it’s 12 months since I started volunteering Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Musician What is your favorite song to play for patients? Too many to say, but, I love playing “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele, written by Bob Dylan. Do you perform anywhere else besides with MOC? I played professionally for about 12 years when I was in my 20’s. I still do occasional private gigs. What is your occupation outside of MOC? I’m now retired, but was a real estate appraiser for 35 years. Do you have any hidden talents? Not […]

10Sep

Meet Charlie Kang, Our Fe

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at CMSS How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? I have been with MOC for 6 months Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Guide What is your occupation outside of MOC? I’m a small business owner. Do you have any hidden talents? I’m also a writer! What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? To make a small contribution for seniors in the area. What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? It’s gratifying to see instant happiness in the face of seniors. Has your life changed because of your experience at MOC? I promote a healthy life more, and appreciate life better. What is […]

10Jul

Volunteer Guide Anna Meeh

As a part of the WGN Radio Morning Show in Chicago, Musicians On Call (MOC) Volunteer Guide Anna Meehan was named the “Most Valuable Person On The Planet!” In a segment which aired on July 10th, Meehan described her work as a Guide at Lurie Children’s Hospital, as well as MOC’s work nationally. You can listen to the segment here! Musicians On Call launched its Chicago program in 2018. Since then MOC’s Volunteer Musicians have played for over 3,350 patients and their family members right at their bedside. As mentioned in the segment, Musicians On Call is looking for volunteer guides and musicians in select cities. You can learn more here and help deliver the healing power of music in your area!

25Jun

Cassadee Pope Celebrates

For World Music Day on Friday, June 21, The Voice winner and GRAMMY nominee Cassadee Pope visited residents at Chicago Methodist Senior Services for a special Bedside Performance Program with Musicians On Call. Pope visited the center prior to her performance at Country LakeShake 2019 and brought a taste of the festival to the residents by performing some of her hits including “Take You Home” and “One More Red Light.” Last year, Musicians On Call officially launched its Bedside Performance Program in Chicago and its volunteers have performed for more than 3,000 individuals to date at Chicago Methodist Senior Services, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. This year, Musicians On Call celebrates 20 years of delivering the healing power of music nationwide, and […]

25Feb

Meet Claire Cawein, Our F

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I volunteer at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 2 years Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Guide What is your occupation outside of MOC? I am currently a nursing student in Chicago. Do you have any hidden talents? Unfortunately I have no musical talent whatsoever (I wish!), but my roommate says that I can make really great banana bread. What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? I first began volunteering in Nashville when I was attending Belmont University. At the time, I was studying to work in the music industry. I wanted to begin volunteering in my free […]

15Nov

Meet Steven Hansen &

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? Chicago Methodist, Lurie Children’s and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? Just under a year Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Musician What is your favorite song to play for patients? “Brown Eyed Girl” Have you ever been part of an impromptu jam session with patients or family in a hospital room? “Yes we get sing-alongs quite often! Occasionally dancing as well. ” Do you perform anywhere else besides with MOC? “Mostly on the internet for now. We plan to hit up some open mics once we finish writing our EP. ” What is your occupation outside of MOC? “Steven is a Senior Account Manager for a tech company, and Brian is a Personal […]

09Nov

Michael Ray and MOC Celeb

On November 8th Musicians On Call hosted our Chicago Launch Party at The Underground to celebrate the launch of our Bedside Performance Program in Chicago. The intimate celebration included an exclusive performance by Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray. Michael launched into a high-energy set for the crowd of community supporters, music lovers and healthcare leaders, treating attendees to No. 1 hits “Think A Little Less,” “Kiss You in the Morning” and his current single “One That Got Away,” plus songs from his sophomore album Amos. As part of the launch celebration, Michael visited Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) earlier in the day to perform for residents. We first piloted our Bedside Performance Program at CMSS and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago […]

23Sep

Meet Phil Walton, Our Fea

Get to know our volunteers! Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? Around 9 months Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Guide What is your occupation outside of MOC? “I work as a tax consultant for Deloitte and am also part owner of an online music magazine,“ What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? “I’m originally from the UK but my wife and I moved to Chicago around 7 years ago for my job. It was meant to be for 2 years but we fell in love with the city and made it our new home. Music has been a huge part of my […]