Meet Frank Chillemi, Our Featured Volunteer from NYC!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I perform for patients at Jamaica Hospital Trump Rehab Pavilion.
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? I have been with MOC for close to one-and-one-half years
Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Musician
What is your favorite song to play for patients? One of my favorite songs to play for the patients is Heat and Soul by Hoagy Carmicheal
Do you perform anywhere else besides with MOC? I also perform volunteer concerts at assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
What is your occupation outside of MOC? In my retired life, I’ve become a certified stringed instrument repair technician.
Do you have any hidden talents? My grandchildren think I’m a pretty good “Grandpa Frank”.
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? I learned to play guitar in high school. In my military service, I played in a Country band. For the past ten years or so, in assorted small musical groups, I’ve performed volunteer concerts at assisted living facilities and nursing homes in the New York Metropolitan area. MOC now provides me with the unique opportunity to share live music with folks who might not otherwise have many chances to hear it.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? This one is easy. In my early MOC experience, I sang a song for a lovely elderly lady. When the song was finished the lady turned to me and said “I’m ninety-five years old and you are the first man to ever sing me a love song!’ All I could think of to say was “thank you so much for waiting!”
