Meet Greg Cho, our featured volunteer from NYC!
Get to know our volunteers!
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 2 Years
Are you a Volunteer Guide or Volunteer Musician? Musician
What is your favorite song to play for paitents? Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (“Air on the G String”)
Do you perform anywhere else besides with MOC? I play bass in a rock band and perform throughout the city. For classical guitar, which is my instrument for MOC, I play at open mics, weddings and the subways
What is your occupation outside of MOC? I am a lawyer
Do You Have Any Hidden Talents? I can write a legal brief and brew my own beer.
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? My story is that I’ve been playing guitar on and off for about 30 years now. I never really studied formally and effectively taught myself. I began with rock, tried a little jazz (I love it, but am not creative enough to be a jazz musician!) and now focus on classical guitar. The power to heal is what connects me with music, whether jamming to Metallica to heal from the burn of lactic acid build-up in my legs from hill repeats on my bike or concentrating to the chants of Buddhist monks to heal from the stresses of life while meditating and everything else in between. I volunteer at MOC to participate, share and further experience this healing power of music in the most literal setting: a healthcare facility.
What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? My other volunteer experiences are guiding physically challenged athletes compete in athletic events, from marathons to the Ironman triathlon. While these rewards are significant, they are quite different from MOC which allows you to experience the intimacy, fragility and richness of life in a very different setting.
Has your life changed because of your experience with MOC? I like to think it has made me a better person and has given me a deeper and more profound perspective on things.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? This was when I had the opportunity to play for the family and friends of a patient who had just passed away. This was a testament to the healing power of music.
