Beyond the Notes

Beyond the Notes is a unique and interactive concert experience that gives the audience a chance to get to know the performers beyond what can be read in their bios. In addition to presenting some of today’s most sought-after musicians, Beyond the Notes invites audience members to participate in concerts by submitting written questions. Questions are selected randomly and answered live on stage by the performers throughout the concert. 

Beyond the Notes was founded 9 years ago and presents its flagship concert in the Boston-area annually, introducing a new guest artist or artists every year. Beyond the Notes also partners with organizations around the US to bring this unique concert experience to other communities, near and far. The Beyond the Notes community engagement program, Further Beyond, partners with local hospitals, retirement homes, and other performance venues to bring world-class music to people beyond the concert hall, especially to those who are unable to attend a concert. 

With the launch of a new series in the 2020 season called “Beyond the Notes Minis,” Beyond the Notes remained an integral and unifying concert experience in the community during the time of COVID-19. Beyond the Notes Minis was a monthly COVID-safe live mini-concert series that highlights the works of Black composers and supports social justice. For these concerts, Beyond the Notes has partnered with Powers Gallery to pair music with exquisite artwork and featured special guest appearances from Sarah Kenner, creator of the blog The Hungry Musician, composer Jonathan McNair, and composer Jessica Meyer.

Violinist Sarah Whitney, Founder and Artistic Director, believes that too often there is a barrier between audience and performers when the audience knows little about the musicians they are watching. The mission of Beyond the Notes is to change the concert experience and engage audiences in new ways.

Beyond the Notes is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non profit arts service organization. This program is supported in part by grants from the Concord Local Cultural Council and the Carlisle Local Cultural Council - local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.