As temperatures soar across the Valley, many Arizonans retreat indoors, seeking air conditioning and shade. But for thousands of people facing homelessness or medical hardship, relief can be hard to come by.
For more than a decade, The Phoenix Symphony has provided a different kind of summer refuge, one that doesn’t come from cooling systems or shelter walls, but from the healing power of live music.
Twice a month Symphony musicians perform at local shelters and transitional housing centers like Circle the City, bringing uplifting melodies and personal connection to individuals navigating some of life’s most difficult moments. These aren’t grand stage productions. They’re deeply human encounters, quiet, intimate performances where music becomes a form of compassion and respect.
“For me, the sign that we’re getting through is when I see someone tapping their feet or singing along,” said Karen Bea, a violist with The Phoenix Symphony. “That’s how we know we’re reaching their hearts.”
Since 2015, the program has partnered with organizations like Circle the City, St. Vincent de Paul and Keys to Change Campus. Circle the City provides healthcare to individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom face not only serious medical challenges but also profound social isolation.
“All of our patients here at Respite are dealing with serious illness or injury on top of experiencing homelessness,” said Mary Hames, director of communications at Circle the City. “When the musicians come to play, it touches something deeper. It lifts the spirit and brings joy at a time when joy is hard to find.”
The science backs it up: studies show that live music can lower stress hormones, improve mood and even contribute to pain management. For patients in recovery, those few moments of beauty can be powerful.
“Music has been my healer, my salvation,” said Andre, a patient at Circle the City. “It cancels out all hatred and evil.”
One of the most moving parts of the program is the invitation it extends back: after meeting the musicians in person, many participants are offered complimentary tickets to attend a full Phoenix Symphony performance at Symphony Hall. For many, it’s their first time seeing a live orchestral concert in a formal setting.
Charles Hayes, a patient battling cancer and experiencing homelessness, shared his heartfelt reaction when attending the Symphony’s performance of Beethoven’s Ninth. “It’s good for the soul. It’s good for the spirit. It’s good for society to listen to music of the heart,” he said. “This is a dream come true.”
As the Symphony approaches its 80th season, this community-centered work is becoming as central to its mission as its performances on the main stage. In addition to shelters, Symphony musicians also visit schools and memory care sites and hospices throughout the Valley, underscoring the belief that live music belongs to everyone.
This vital outreach is one of the many initiatives supported by Crescendo: The Campaign for The Phoenix Symphony, a bold $60 million comprehensive fundraising effort designed to ensure a thriving future for symphonic music in Arizona. As the Symphony nears its milestone anniversary, Crescendo stands as its most ambitious philanthropic undertaking yet, focused on advancing artistic excellence, expanding community engagement and ensuring lasting sustainability.
“The impact of these performances isn’t measured in ticket sales,” says Valerie Bontrager, community engagement director, The Phoenix Symphony. “This is what good neighbors do—we collaborate to serve our communities and ensure that Arizonans have access to the power of live music. It’s part of our contribution to a strong, healthy and vibrant Phoenix.”
In a summer expected to bring record-breaking heat, it’s heartening to know that relief can come in many forms, and that, sometimes, the most powerful form of comfort can be as simple as a melody, played by someone who cares.
For more information about The Phoenix Symphony’s community programs, visit phoenixsymphony.org.
