Transcending Generations through Music
Above: Intergenerational band featuring MusicianCorps Alum Bob Frazier (trumpet), Michael Sasaki (guitar), and MNS's own David Watterson (keys)
MusicianCorps was a featured presenter at Encore 2011, the annual national conference promoting the value of service among older adults with skills to contribute to their communities. Held December 1-3 in Sausalito, Cal., the conference brought together 200 of the nation's leading activists in the "encore career" movement.
Above: Phyllis Segal, Vice President, Civic Ventures
For the event's "Friday Night Encore" session, an intergenerational band of five MusicianCorps service artists provided a performance that spanned multiple genres and decades of popular songs. The performance showcased older adults such as MusicianCorps Alum Robert Frazier and guitarist Michael Sasaki, who have decades of experience contributing to their communities as both performers and educators. Frazier, a multi-instrumentalist, continues to teach regularly in Oakland public schools, and has led a meaningful career as a service artist dating back to the start of the civil rights movement. Sasaki was a member of the 1970's Warner Brothers funk-fusion recording band Cold Blood and continues to provide leadership to his community as the Secretary of Musicians Union Local 424 in Richmond, Cal.
MusicianCorps was invited to present at the conference by Phyllis Segal, a national service leader and Vice President at Civic Ventures, the parent organization to Encore. Segal warmly introduced MNS CEO & Founder Kiff Gallagher, who made remarks and emceed an interview with Frazier and Sasaki from the stage. MusicianCorps is honored to have been a part of the national gathering, and is proud to contribute to the encore career movement.
