Newton Musicians To Play In Stigma-Free Classical Concert

NEWTON, MA — New England-based Me2/, a classical music organization created for musicians living with mental illnesses and the people who support them, will bring together 100 of its regional players, including two Newton residents, on Jan. 23 for “Stigma-Free at Symphony Hall,” a concert for audience members with mental illnesses and their allies.

Founded in 2011 by Music Director and Conductor Ronald Braunstein, whose rising career as a world-class conductor was cut short due to the stigma surrounding his bipolar disorder diagnosis, Me2/ gives regional musicians of all abilities a creative home and presents high-quality concerts throughout New England.

"We are a large collection of musicians who range greatly in age and ability,” said Braunstein in a statement. “I can’t wait to see what happens when we converge at Symphony Hall to play those first few notes. I expect it will be electrifying for us and for our audiences."

According to Executive Director Caroline Whiddon, half of Me2/’s musicians live with a mental health diagnosis such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, trauma, depression, addiction, or anxiety.

"From a social justice and inclusion standpoint, it’s powerful for audience members to be free of traditional expectations at a classical music concert, and to see people like themselves on stage,” said Whiddon in a statement.

Whiddon said the group works to create stigma-free zones in its own rehearsals, backstage, and at other gatherings and offers the same for audience members.

“We plan to make everyone comfortable at this performance by taking the pressure off the experience of attending a concert,” she said. “Our philosophy is ‘come any way you can,’ ‘be who you are’ and ‘do what you need to do while you’re here.’”

The Jan. 23 performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall, which will feature Newton violinists Laura Greenly and Gretchen Hillstrom, flautist Dana Schaul, and trumpeter Elliot Pittel, will mark Me2/’s tenth year and include music by Grieg, Yousufi, Rossini, Berlioz, Elgar, and Beethoven.

The Me2/ Symphony Hall concert is free and open to all, with reservations and proof of vaccination required, and will be fully accessible. To make a reservation, click here.