Davenport, Iowa - It was 1995. Jeri Leinen Moeller, CASI's founder and past President, approached a retired music teacher, Bob Gaston, to start a band for senior citizens. With no equipment or music library, he recruited six musicians to help put the word of the bands inception into the music community. What started as an opportunity for older musicians to gather and play their instruments, soon became only the second band in Iowa to become a part of the International New Horizons Band movement.
Fast forward 20 years, that small group of six has grown to more than 60 musicians with a full concert band instrumentation. The steady growth in membership and reputation is due largely to the twenty years of voluntary and able leadership from Bob Gaston.
Today, on November 19, Bob's hard work, perseverance and leadership have earned him the DAR Community Service Award for his dedicated service as the Director of CASI - The Center for Active Seniors, Inc., New Horizons Band. Presented by the Hannah Caldwell Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mr. Gaston proudly accepted the award in front of his band and the CASI Community today at the Center for Active Seniors.
"Bob Gaston has used his own money to buy music and found people to donate equipment throughout the years," said Bernadine McGuire, CASI band member.
Mr. Gaston has continued to direct the band, as a volunteer without pay for the past 20 years. Today the band has over 60 members and is in demand to play concerts all over the Quad Cities. Contributing to the culture and patriotism of the Quad Cities, the band regularly performs a variety of patriotic and popular music throughout the area. The band also enhances the lives of seniors who are able to share their musical talents by performing in the band. The CASI New Horizons Band celebrated its 20th anniversary in September with a free concert and reception at CASI in Davenport.
Fast forward 20 years, that small group of six has grown to more than 60 musicians with a full concert band instrumentation. The steady growth in membership and reputation is due largely to the twenty years of voluntary and able leadership from Bob Gaston.
Today, on November 19, Bob's hard work, perseverance and leadership have earned him the DAR Community Service Award for his dedicated service as the Director of CASI - The Center for Active Seniors, Inc., New Horizons Band. Presented by the Hannah Caldwell Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mr. Gaston proudly accepted the award in front of his band and the CASI Community today at the Center for Active Seniors.
"Bob Gaston has used his own money to buy music and found people to donate equipment throughout the years," said Bernadine McGuire, CASI band member.
Mr. Gaston has continued to direct the band, as a volunteer without pay for the past 20 years. Today the band has over 60 members and is in demand to play concerts all over the Quad Cities. Contributing to the culture and patriotism of the Quad Cities, the band regularly performs a variety of patriotic and popular music throughout the area. The band also enhances the lives of seniors who are able to share their musical talents by performing in the band. The CASI New Horizons Band celebrated its 20th anniversary in September with a free concert and reception at CASI in Davenport.
