“Adrienne Danrich takes us “to church” in her programs–in the best possible way.
It is a much needed voice-lifting and spirit-lifting in these challenging times now and to come.”
– Jennifer Davison, soprano
Created, hosted, and executive produced by Adrienne Danrich
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Music as the Message is thrilled to announce its inaugural STEPPING INTO PEACE Weekend in St. Louis, MO!
Join me and a cast of extraordinary artists MARCH 20-22, 2026 for this weekend retreat dedicated to fostering peace, mindfulness, and community. This activity-filled weekend was inspired by the devastating tornado that hit St. Louis last summer while I was performing with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Witnessing the immense loss, I felt a deep desire to create a gathering space for individuals to discover and nurture their own paths to peace, especially during and after tragic events.
Peace is a vital and active necessity in our lives, communities, and world—now more than ever. We live in an age where daily events can threaten our inner calm. My sincerest wish is for each of us to find and maintain our personal peace so that we may then share it with the world.
As the Venerable Monk Pannakara wisely said, “Today is going to be my peaceful day.” We will make this proclamation for three days during Music as the Message: Stepping Into Peace! Join us!
The Weekend MARCH 20-22, 2026, will include A Two-Day Ticketed Retreat (March 20-21-limited availability, scholarships available) & Two (2) FREE Concerts (March 21- If You Can Breathe You Can Sing & RECORDS) at The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, all leading to the Final Culminating Performance – STEPPING INTO PEACE (March 22 – In person and on Zoom) at The Sheldon Concert Hall and Galleries!
To Purchase Tickets, Register for the Free Concerts, and for more Information, click on the links for each event below.
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Music as the Message: STEPPING INTO PEACE is presented in partnership with Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis & The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, in association with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Pianos for People*, and American Opera Projects. This event is supported by The Engaged City (WashU’s Center for the Humanities, CRE², and Sam Fox School), which is funded by the Mellon Foundation and the Provost’s Here and Next initiative.
*Pianos for People’s mission is to inspire successful futures by providing free access to the transformational power of the piano. For families and individuals with limited resources, we break down financial barriers and leverage the piano as a gateway to empowerment, community, and self-esteem.
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ABOUT
Adrienne Danrich’s
MUSIC AS THE MESSAGE
Music as the Message (MaM) was created in 2020 by Emmy Award-winning soprano Adrienne Danrich, in response to the need for communal sharing and healing, despite our physical isolation, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. MaM’s mission is to create shared musical experiences, celebrating the unifying power of music to inspire healing, joy, laughter, love and most importantly, community.
Beginning solely as an online experience, Music as the Message has now grown into a vibrant, interactive, hybrid performance series held LIVE at Concert Halls, Opera Companies, Schools, and Churches around the country, and simultaneously streamed via Zoom. The hybrid model fosters a greater global presence, reaching audience members from the US and abroad.
Adrienne serves as host, inviting guest artists from a wide range of backgrounds, genres, and experiences to offer performances of uplifting songs, dance, and spoken word. Music as the Message provides a safe space for Attendees to quietly enjoy or, when invited, to participate and lift their voices in tandem with the performers. Each episode also sees the premiere of newly commissioned works, as well as partnerships with charity organizations, who share in the musical offerings and proceeds.
Music as the Message is produced by Adrienne Danrich, in association with producing partners across the country.
Concert are free to the public, due to the generosity of donors, and producing partners.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
MUSIC AS THE MESSAGE: MY SISTER , MY FRIEND
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
PROGRAMS FROM PAST EPISODES
MEDIA SAMPLES
INSIDE IS WHAT REMAINS
Music and Lyrics by Nkeiru Okoye
for Adrienne Danrich’s Music as the Message
MUSIC AS THE MESSAGE
JUNTEENTH EPISODE TRAILER
“DER HÖLLE RACHE KOCHT IN MEINEM HERZEN”
from W. A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute
Remix by Kamala Sankaram
TEAM
Adrienne Danrich, creator, host & executive producer
Anne Hiatt, co-producer
The Music as the Message series is produced by Adrienne Danrich.
When produced in New York City, Music as the Message is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the governor and the New York State Legislature.
The Music as the Message series was previously produced and presented by The American Opera Project and Opera On Tap, in association with Broadway Presbyterian Church. Music as the Message is currently a fiscally sponsored project of The American Opera Project.
