Clinton School student David Watterson has formalized a volunteer program at a national nonprofit organization to engage more musicians in community service.
Working with the Center for Music National Service (MNS) in San Francisco, Watterson led efforts to recruit, train and place musician volunteers in classrooms and communities in support of MNS’s flagship program MusicianCorps.
MusicianCorps uses music to reengage youth in their academic and civic lives, and provide them critical skills for success in the 21st century.
In an effort to connect volunteers of all backgrounds to music-based service opportunities, Watterson helped plan and implement a Day of Song and Service with MusicianCorps, held on the recent Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The event engaged over 200 participants from communities across the Bay Area in learning and performing the song, “Lean On Me,” on piano, guitar, percussion, and voice. Participants included not only local musicians, but also students and parents, corporate employees, and community members, many of whom had never played a musical instrument.
“Given his background in community service and music, it was wonderful to have David as an integral part of our team on MLK Day 2011” said Kiff Gallagher, CEO and Founder of MNS.
“The Day of Song and Service was an inspiring example of the combined power of music and service to bring people together,” said Watterson, a professional pianist who completed his undergraduate studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. “This type of opportunity for people to unite in a shared act of art and expression is needed across the country, and I am hopeful that my work will help to expand such efforts.”
Watterson completed the project as part of the school’s Capstone program, one of three for-credit public service projects in the school’s Master of Public Service degree program.
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