The Music
What We Do at a Gig
Music with Heart, through a two-hour long interactive “songfest”, provide a musical foundation for connection and hope.
Instrumentalists include guitars, sax, drums and a sound system.
With Music with Heart’s focus on engaging the audience, the form of a Music with Heart appearance must be fluid, open to spontaneity and improvisation from the audience.
Engaging the audience actively in the music is critical to each appearance. The creation of this musical bridge between troupe members and the audience, and between members of the audience with one another, has proven musically therapeutic for guests, residents, and troupe members. For an evening, all become friends together in music. Barriers are broken down and new possibilities for change are imagined. Tensions are eased. Lives are changed. Hope fosters.
Minstrels Program
The Songfest is our signature musical event.
A rotating roster of volunteer singers and instrumentalists appear at a shelter, prison, hospital or other space to share songs from The Boston Minstrels Songbook with the community. Attendees are invited to sing, encouraged to dance, and allowed to have fun. Members of The Boston Minstrels rehearse selections from the Songbook monthly. A schedule of Songfests is maintained on the website.
The Workshops is a more intimate form of participatory singing.
Gathered in a smaller setting on site, 10-15 residents and a handful of Minstrels embark on a two hour journey of recollecting our musical history, singing favorite tunes, improvising, and playing instruments. We awaken talent, associate music with personal growth, and provide enjoyment in spite of hard circumstances
Music for Everybody is an effort to bring the Boston music community into the shelters.
Bands, duos, and solo artists are invited into these venues to provide their style of music. The gift of music is a hallmark of the Minstrel mission and all forms of musical expression is encouraged.
