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Florence Comes Home TEAM (photo by Carrie Eldridge-Dickson at CASPAR Sept 2019) - edit_edi

“The music was water for
my soul when it was thirsty”

—B., Pine Street Inn-Shattuck Shelter Guest

Shelter Music Boston delivers chamber music concerts to people in homeless shelters and substance use recovery centers.

Join us at the
Concert for Compassion

Sunday, November 1, 2026, 2:00pm
The Allen Center, Newton, MA

Joy. Connection. Community.

Steph Davis Housing Families Oct 2022 - edit.jpg

Sharing classical music promotes community, creative interaction, respect, and therapeutic benefit.

We work at the highest artistic standards with professional musicians who are trained in our unique, interactive concert model.

�“Ya Osas” by Julia Boutros is a powerful song of solidarity, resilience, and hope written in the context of the Lebanese and Arab experience. Boutros’s passionate vocal style and the song’s driving musical energy give it both an intimate emotional force and the feeling of a collective call for courage and perseverance.

Lizzy (cello) and Rami (ney) performed this piece at Pine Street Inn's Stabilization program as part of August's concerts.

#BostonArts #Duo #Cello #Ney

“Ya Osas” by Julia Boutros is a powerful song of solidarity, resilience, and hope written in the context of the Lebanese and Arab experience. Boutros’s passionate vocal style and the song’s driving musical energy give it both an intimate emotional force and the feeling of a collective call for courage and perseverance.

Lizzy (cello) and Rami (ney) performed this piece at Pine Street Inn's Stabilization program as part of August's concerts.

#BostonArts #Duo #Cello #Ney

What a poignant response to live music! After a recent concert, an audience member at Pine Street Inn's Stabilization Program told us, "The music carries stress away."

#MusicHeals #ClassicalMusic #ChamberMusic #BostonMA

What a poignant response to live music! After a recent concert, an audience member at Pine Street Inn's Stabilization Program told us, "The music carries stress away."

#MusicHeals #ClassicalMusic #ChamberMusic #BostonMA

As summer nears its end, take a listen to this clip of "El día que me quieras" by Carlos Gardel, which Annegret and Amy performed as part of their program "Summer Dances."

Legendary French-Argentine singer Gardel wrote this tango-canción for his penultimate film, just a year before his tragic death. The song is celebrated for its lush lyricism and tender emotional vulnerability.

#SummerDances #Summer #ChamberMusic #BostonMusic #CambridgeMA

As summer nears its end, take a listen to this clip of "El día que me quieras" by Carlos Gardel, which Annegret and Amy performed as part of their program "Summer Dances."

Legendary French-Argentine singer Gardel wrote this tango-canción for his penultimate film, just a year before his tragic death. The song is celebrated for its lush lyricism and tender emotional vulnerability.

#SummerDances #Summer #ChamberMusic #BostonMusic #CambridgeMA

The shared experience of listening to music connects us — to the other listeners, to the musicians, to the composer, and even to other time periods and cultures.

A client at @pinestreetinn's Stabilization Program wrote that their favorite part of the concert favorite part of the concert featuring international dance music was "picturing people who would have danced to the music and how they would dance. It made me envision how the times were when they wrote it." They really felt the connection!

#ChamberMusic #MusicandCommunity #BostonArts #BostonMusic

The shared experience of listening to music connects us — to the other listeners, to the musicians, to the composer, and even to other time periods and cultures.

A client at @pinestreetinn's Stabilization Program wrote that their favorite part of the concert favorite part of the concert featuring international dance music was "picturing people who would have danced to the music and how they would dance. It made me envision how the times were when they wrote it." They really felt the connection!

#ChamberMusic #MusicandCommunity #BostonArts #BostonMusic

Libertango is Astor Piazzolla's ultimate emblem of artistic freedom. The title symbolizes the composer's change from traditional tango into his groundbreaking Nuevo Tango style.

Check out Annegret and Amy's performance of this electrifying work, performed for the guests at @casparshelters Emergency Shelter.

#ChamberMusic #CambridgeMA #Tango #Violin

Libertango is Astor Piazzolla's ultimate emblem of artistic freedom. The title symbolizes the composer's change from traditional tango into his groundbreaking Nuevo Tango style.

Check out Annegret and Amy's performance of this electrifying work, performed for the guests at @casparshelters Emergency Shelter.

#ChamberMusic #CambridgeMA #Tango #Violin

What a great concert at @wlpboston last week! Adrian and Jennifer performed for an audience of more than 40 women.

Thank you to a generous sponsor who made this concert possible and to our operations coordinator Katie for taking these photos.

#ClassicalMuisc #MusicHeals #ChamberMusic

What a great concert at @wlpboston last week! Adrian and Jennifer performed for an audience of more than 40 women.

Thank you to a generous sponsor who made this concert possible and to our operations coordinator Katie for taking these photos.

#ClassicalMuisc #MusicHeals #ChamberMusic

Great news! We are honored to be one of this year's recipients of a grant from the @bostonfdn's Free for All Endowment Fund, whose mission is to ensure that everyone in Greater Boston has regular and permanent access to the rich world of classical music.

#GrantRecipient #ClassicalMusic #ArtsforAll #ThankYou

Great news! We are honored to be one of this year's recipients of a grant from the @bostonfdn's Free for All Endowment Fund, whose mission is to ensure that everyone in Greater Boston has regular and permanent access to the rich world of classical music.

#GrantRecipient #ClassicalMusic #ArtsforAll #ThankYou

When asked their favorite part of the concert, a resident at @hri_housing responded, "The beauty of the music, the interactions with the musicians."

Our interactive concerts combine music of the highest artistic quality with respectful conversation, and we're glad this audience member appreciated both pillars of our concerts!

#Respect #Dignity #ClassicalMusic #CambridgeMA

When asked their favorite part of the concert, a resident at @hri_housing responded, "The beauty of the music, the interactions with the musicians."

Our interactive concerts combine music of the highest artistic quality with respectful conversation, and we're glad this audience member appreciated both pillars of our concerts!

#Respect #Dignity #ClassicalMusic #CambridgeMA

Last month, one of the guests at CASPAR Emergency Shelter reported to us that their favorite part of the concert was "the tango classics" — here is one of them for you to enjoy as well! Annegret and Amy performed a program of summer dances at all of our partner sites, including this piece, La Cumparsita. The piece uses a melody written in 1916 by young Uruguayan architecture student Gerardo Matos Rodríguez that has been transformed into a carnival march and a tango.

#SummerDances #Tango #ChamberMusic #MusicHeals #CambridgeMA

Last month, one of the guests at CASPAR Emergency Shelter reported to us that their favorite part of the concert was "the tango classics" — here is one of them for you to enjoy as well! Annegret and Amy performed a program of summer dances at all of our partner sites, including this piece, La Cumparsita. The piece uses a melody written in 1916 by young Uruguayan architecture student Gerardo Matos Rodríguez that has been transformed into a carnival march and a tango.

#SummerDances #Tango #ChamberMusic #MusicHeals #CambridgeMA

We're excited to share with you a response form one of our audience members! After listening to Annegret and Amy's performance of dances for violin duo, a guest at CASPAR Emergency Shelter told us, "Live music is a treat — exposes us to new experiences."

#MusicHeals #ChamberMusic #ClassicalMusic #Violin

We're excited to share with you a response form one of our audience members! After listening to Annegret and Amy's performance of dances for violin duo, a guest at CASPAR Emergency Shelter told us, "Live music is a treat — exposes us to new experiences."

#MusicHeals #ChamberMusic #ClassicalMusic #Violin

A new peer-reviewed study links prescribing patients creative experiences to a statistically significant improvement in their mental well-being, combating loneliness and social isolation.

Check out this great article from the @masscultural Council on arts-based social prescribing — follow the link in our bio.

A new peer-reviewed study links prescribing patients creative experiences to a statistically significant improvement in their mental well-being, combating loneliness and social isolation.

Check out this great article from the @masscultural Council on arts-based social prescribing — follow the link in our bio.

Adrian, Jennifer, Sergio, Javier, and Erin performed beautifully before @commshakes's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Take a listen to this clip of "Inside a Haiku," a haunting piece with text by Laurel Lee Lambert and music by Francine Trester.

#ChamberMusic #StringQuartet #BostonArts #BostonMusic

Adrian, Jennifer, Sergio, Javier, and Erin performed beautifully before @commshakes's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Take a listen to this clip of "Inside a Haiku," a haunting piece with text by Laurel Lee Lambert and music by Francine Trester.

#ChamberMusic #StringQuartet #BostonArts #BostonMusic

Happy #MusicMonday! Please enjoy Annegret and Amy's performance of Astor Piazzolla's Libertango from our most recent concert at Southampton Street Shelter.

#Tango #ChamberMusic #Violin #BostonMusic #BostonArts

Happy #MusicMonday! Please enjoy Annegret and Amy's performance of Astor Piazzolla's Libertango from our most recent concert at Southampton Street Shelter.

#Tango #ChamberMusic #Violin #BostonMusic #BostonArts

"Inside a Haiku" was written by Francine Trester in 2022 for our artistic project, "Voices of Hope." The works composed for this project were inspired by poetry written by members of the Black Seed Writers Group, a Boston based meet-up of writers who are homeless, in transition, or recently housed.

This is one of the pieces that SMB musicians will be performing this Friday 7/31 at 6:00pm before the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream! Learn more: https://commshakes.org/production/dream26/

Thank you to the musicians performing in this video:
Erin, soprano
Adrian and Yonah, violins
Rebecca, viola
Lizzy, Cello

Thank you to Josh Wareham for the video and audio.

#ChamberMusic #Hope #Poetry #Haiku

"Inside a Haiku" was written by Francine Trester in 2022 for our artistic project, "Voices of Hope." The works composed for this project were inspired by poetry written by members of the Black Seed Writers Group, a Boston based meet-up of writers who are homeless, in transition, or recently housed.

This is one of the pieces that SMB musicians will be performing this Friday 7/31 at 6:00pm before the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream! Learn more: https://commshakes.org/production/dream26/

Thank you to the musicians performing in this video:
Erin, soprano
Adrian and Yonah, violins
Rebecca, viola
Lizzy, Cello

Thank you to Josh Wareham for the video and audio.

#ChamberMusic #Hope #Poetry #Haiku

Join us on the Boston Common next Friday! A quintet of Shelter Music Boston musicians, including our Artistic Director Adrian Anantawan, will perform a FREE concert before the @commshakes's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

When: Friday, July 31st, 6:00pm
Where: Parkman Bandstand at the Boston Common (139 Tremont St, Boston)
What: A joyful quintet performance by SMB musicians

This performance is thanks to Commonwealth Shakespeare Co's CommonStage Initiative to expand access to free arts programming and enhance the cultural landscape of Greater Boston.

Check out the link in our bio for more info!

#BostonArts #BostonMusic #BostonEvents #ChamberMusic

Join us on the Boston Common next Friday! A quintet of Shelter Music Boston musicians, including our Artistic Director Adrian Anantawan, will perform a FREE concert before the @commshakes's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

When: Friday, July 31st, 6:00pm
Where: Parkman Bandstand at the Boston Common (139 Tremont St, Boston)
What: A joyful quintet performance by SMB musicians

This performance is thanks to Commonwealth Shakespeare Co's CommonStage Initiative to expand access to free arts programming and enhance the cultural landscape of Greater Boston.

Check out the link in our bio for more info!

#BostonArts #BostonMusic #BostonEvents #ChamberMusic

This waltz for cello and accordion was written in 2021 by Palestinian composer Razan Theodory. She writes that the piece was “inspired by the mix of emotions I experienced when I first played the accordion” and that “this instrument brought back memories of my late grandfather, who used to play the accordion."

Lizzy and Camille performed this piece for people in 7 different sites last month! Here's a clip of their performance at Southampton Street Shelter.

#Accordion #ChamberMusic #Waltz #BostonArts

This waltz for cello and accordion was written in 2021 by Palestinian composer Razan Theodory. She writes that the piece was “inspired by the mix of emotions I experienced when I first played the accordion” and that “this instrument brought back memories of my late grandfather, who used to play the accordion."

Lizzy and Camille performed this piece for people in 7 different sites last month! Here's a clip of their performance at Southampton Street Shelter.

#Accordion #ChamberMusic #Waltz #BostonArts

"The music itself is a balm, an oasis, a performance for the soul, for a lifetime. A lifetime imprint of normalcy, of wonderment & awe. Sheer joy!"

Thank you to the audience member at CASPAR Emergency Shelter who delivered this powerful message to us in a handwritten note. We're so honored to hear about their concert experience and grateful that they took the time to write this note for our musicians!

#MusicHeals #SocialImpact #CitizenArtist #Joy

"The music itself is a balm, an oasis, a performance for the soul, for a lifetime. A lifetime imprint of normalcy, of wonderment & awe. Sheer joy!"

Thank you to the audience member at CASPAR Emergency Shelter who delivered this powerful message to us in a handwritten note. We're so honored to hear about their concert experience and grateful that they took the time to write this note for our musicians!

#MusicHeals #SocialImpact #CitizenArtist #Joy

What a fun day at MACFest! Lots of visitors, both young and old, came to our table to make maracas using plastic eggs, spoons, and beans. Kat and Rebecca's great performance exemplified what we do with kids and families in our Children's Program. Kat led the crowd through an engaging activity to keep the beat while she and Rebecca performed the Venezuelan song “Alma Llanera” by Pedro E. Gutierrez.

Many thanks to @maldenculture!

What a fun day at MACFest! Lots of visitors, both young and old, came to our table to make maracas using plastic eggs, spoons, and beans. Kat and Rebecca's great performance exemplified what we do with kids and families in our Children's Program. Kat led the crowd through an engaging activity to keep the beat while she and Rebecca performed the Venezuelan song “Alma Llanera” by Pedro E. Gutierrez.

Many thanks to @maldenculture!

Last month, Lizzy and Camille performed in seven partner sites, including @hri_housing's Inman Square Apartments. This was the first time we brought a concert to the people there!

The audience was excited to hear them perform and appreciated the brightness they brought to their concerts. As one audience member remarked, "They smiled all the time."

#ChamberMusic #MusicHeals #ClassicalMusic #CambridgeMA

Last month, Lizzy and Camille performed in seven partner sites, including @hri_housing's Inman Square Apartments. This was the first time we brought a concert to the people there!

The audience was excited to hear them perform and appreciated the brightness they brought to their concerts. As one audience member remarked, "They smiled all the time."

#ChamberMusic #MusicHeals #ClassicalMusic #CambridgeMA

Calling all music-lovers near Malden! Join us at MACFest, a free community event organized by @maldenculture to celebrate and showcase the diverse arts and culture of Malden, MA.

Enjoy live performances, meet local artists, cultural organizations and business, and engage with the community. Make sure to stop by at 1:35pm to see SMB musicians Kat and Rebecca's performance!

Registration is free and helps ensure an accurate count. Follow the link in our bio to learn more.

Calling all music-lovers near Malden! Join us at MACFest, a free community event organized by @maldenculture to celebrate and showcase the diverse arts and culture of Malden, MA.

Enjoy live performances, meet local artists, cultural organizations and business, and engage with the community. Make sure to stop by at 1:35pm to see SMB musicians Kat and Rebecca's performance!

Registration is free and helps ensure an accurate count. Follow the link in our bio to learn more.

At our most recent concert at CASPAR Emergency Shelter in Cambridge, a guest delivered a wonderful note to us to say thank you for Rebecca and Pascale's performance in May. It was so special that an audience member took the time to handwrite this message and then held onto it for a month to give it to our musicians in June!

Here is the message:

Dear Shelter Music Boston,
Pascale & Rebecca's concert is a wonderful gift. Thank you!
The program notes are packed, thick description of the pieces, helpful guides well written. Thank you!
I am grateful as well for the discovery of the bass & viola duet, for sparking my interest in these two instruments. Their sound is a natural pairing that is new to me. Thank you!
The music itself is a balm, an oasis, a performance for the soul, for a lifetime. A lifetime imprint of normalcy, of wonderment & awe. Sheer joy!
For the generous gift I will always cherish: Thank you! Bravo!

#ChamberMusic #NonprofitImpact #MusicHeals #GreaterBoston

At our most recent concert at CASPAR Emergency Shelter in Cambridge, a guest delivered a wonderful note to us to say thank you for Rebecca and Pascale's performance in May. It was so special that an audience member took the time to handwrite this message and then held onto it for a month to give it to our musicians in June!

Here is the message:

Dear Shelter Music Boston,
Pascale & Rebecca's concert is a wonderful gift. Thank you!
The program notes are packed, thick description of the pieces, helpful guides well written. Thank you!
I am grateful as well for the discovery of the bass & viola duet, for sparking my interest in these two instruments. Their sound is a natural pairing that is new to me. Thank you!
The music itself is a balm, an oasis, a performance for the soul, for a lifetime. A lifetime imprint of normalcy, of wonderment & awe. Sheer joy!
For the generous gift I will always cherish: Thank you! Bravo!

#ChamberMusic #NonprofitImpact #MusicHeals #GreaterBoston

At our most recent concerts, we asked guests how they felt before and after the concert. Here are some of their responses!

After the concert, I felt...
"Lifted and calmer"
"Happy"
"Energized"
"Less anxious"
"Great!"

🎶: "Estrellita" by Manuel Ponce, performed by Adrian and Jennifer

#MusicHeals #ArtsforSocialImpact #ChamberMusic #BostonArts

At our most recent concerts, we asked guests how they felt before and after the concert. Here are some of their responses!

After the concert, I felt...
"Lifted and calmer"
"Happy"
"Energized"
"Less anxious"
"Great!"

🎶: "Estrellita" by Manuel Ponce, performed by Adrian and Jennifer

#MusicHeals #ArtsforSocialImpact #ChamberMusic #BostonArts

Take a listen to this clip of Lizzy and Camille's performance of "Sodfa" by renowned contemporary Palestinian composer Ramzi Aburedwan. “Sodfa” is the Arabic word for coincidence, accident, or chance.

Lizzy and Camille performed this piece as part of their program in seven partner sites this month. Please enjoy this spirited and expressive music!

#ChamberMusic #CambridgeArts #CambridgeMA

Take a listen to this clip of Lizzy and Camille's performance of "Sodfa" by renowned contemporary Palestinian composer Ramzi Aburedwan. “Sodfa” is the Arabic word for coincidence, accident, or chance.

Lizzy and Camille performed this piece as part of their program in seven partner sites this month. Please enjoy this spirited and expressive music!

#ChamberMusic #CambridgeArts #CambridgeMA

Check out this lively clip of Lizzy and Camille's performance of "Kan Enna Tahoun" by Elias Rahbani at Women's Lunch Place!

Did you know this was our 50th concert performance this year? We're so grateful for your support that allows us to bring music to people facing homelessness across Greater Boston.

#BostonArts #BostonMA #ChamberMusic #Homelessness

Check out this lively clip of Lizzy and Camille's performance of "Kan Enna Tahoun" by Elias Rahbani at Women's Lunch Place!

Did you know this was our 50th concert performance this year? We're so grateful for your support that allows us to bring music to people facing homelessness across Greater Boston.

#BostonArts #BostonMA #ChamberMusic #Homelessness

This summer, we are excited to bring two concerts to the guests at Women's Lunch Place.

At the first performance earlier this month, Lizzy and Camille played a program of music for cello, accordion, and voice, featuring a diverse array of music, including music written by Camille. Another highlight was when the audience learned about and clapped along to the tango rhythms of Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion.

We are grateful for a generous gift that made these two concerts possible, and we are honored to continue serving the vibrant community of women there!

#ChamberMusic #Tango #Cello #Accordion #BostonMA

This summer, we are excited to bring two concerts to the guests at Women's Lunch Place.

At the first performance earlier this month, Lizzy and Camille played a program of music for cello, accordion, and voice, featuring a diverse array of music, including music written by Camille. Another highlight was when the audience learned about and clapped along to the tango rhythms of Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion.

We are grateful for a generous gift that made these two concerts possible, and we are honored to continue serving the vibrant community of women there!

#ChamberMusic #Tango #Cello #Accordion #BostonMA

Welcome to Charlotte, our summer Children's Program and Production Intern!

Charlotte is a student at Mount Holyoke College studying music and psychology. While her main instrument is the double bass, she has played the piano since age 3. Her favorite ensemble to play in is the Five College Klezmer Kapelye.

Thank you, Charlotte, for your work to support our concerts!

#Welcome #NewTeamMember #ClassicalMusic #MusicHeals

Welcome to Charlotte, our summer Children's Program and Production Intern!

Charlotte is a student at Mount Holyoke College studying music and psychology. While her main instrument is the double bass, she has played the piano since age 3. Her favorite ensemble to play in is the Five College Klezmer Kapelye.

Thank you, Charlotte, for your work to support our concerts!

#Welcome #NewTeamMember #ClassicalMusic #MusicHeals

Please welcome our summer Production Intern, Calvin!

Calvin is a student at Columbia University who is interested in the connections between math and music. In addition to working as Shelter Music Boston's Production Intern this summer, he will be a counselor at Greenwood Music Camp. He is a passionate cellist, enjoys listening for Picardy thirds in music, and loves dogs.

Thank you, Calvin, for your work to support our concerts!

#Welcome #NewTeamMember #ClassicalMusic #MusicHeals

Please welcome our summer Production Intern, Calvin!

Calvin is a student at Columbia University who is interested in the connections between math and music. In addition to working as Shelter Music Boston's Production Intern this summer, he will be a counselor at Greenwood Music Camp. He is a passionate cellist, enjoys listening for Picardy thirds in music, and loves dogs.

Thank you, Calvin, for your work to support our concerts!

#Welcome #NewTeamMember #ClassicalMusic #MusicHeals

Rebecca and Pascale performed Reinhold Glière's Suite for Viola and Double Bass at all of our partner sites. This romantic-era piece explores rich and complex harmonies, with the two instruments at times blending together and at times independently singing out lyrical melodies.

#ClassicalMusic #ChamberMusic #Viola #DoubleBass #BostonMusic

Rebecca and Pascale performed Reinhold Glière's Suite for Viola and Double Bass at all of our partner sites. This romantic-era piece explores rich and complex harmonies, with the two instruments at times blending together and at times independently singing out lyrical melodies.

#ClassicalMusic #ChamberMusic #Viola #DoubleBass #BostonMusic

Take a listen to this clip of Rebecca and Pascale's incredible performance of Renihold Glière's Suite for Viola and Double Bass for the guests at CASPAR Emergency Shelter. In this piece, written near the beginning of the 20th century, the viola's resonant middle register is drawn out to blend with the bass. The bass often plays as an independent melodic voice, venturing into the higher register in its melancholy melody.

#MusicHeals #CambridgeMA #CambridgeArts #ChamberMusic

Take a listen to this clip of Rebecca and Pascale's incredible performance of Renihold Glière's Suite for Viola and Double Bass for the guests at CASPAR Emergency Shelter. In this piece, written near the beginning of the 20th century, the viola's resonant middle register is drawn out to blend with the bass. The bass often plays as an independent melodic voice, venturing into the higher register in its melancholy melody.

#MusicHeals #CambridgeMA #CambridgeArts #ChamberMusic

Music is an incredible force of connection, the notes bridging the space between the composer, musicians, and audience. An audience member at the North Cottage Program recently shared with us, "[after the concert,] I felt more connected, like I heard the pain, the love, the happiness the strings [were] saying & speaking to me."

These important musical moments of connection remind the listener, "you are not alone."

#CommunityThroughMusic #MusicHeals #ChamberMusic

Music is an incredible force of connection, the notes bridging the space between the composer, musicians, and audience. An audience member at the North Cottage Program recently shared with us, "[after the concert,] I felt more connected, like I heard the pain, the love, the happiness the strings [were] saying & speaking to me."

These important musical moments of connection remind the listener, "you are not alone."

#CommunityThroughMusic #MusicHeals #ChamberMusic

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