Tunefoolery Music received a grant to stage three performances by musicians with psychiatric disabilities for underserved populations, mostly individuals living with similar disabilities.

Tunefoolery musicians serve as role models for those they entertain through about 150 concerts per year, with both soloists and ensembles playing a wide variety of music—from rock to classical to jazz.

The musicians travel to shelters, psychiatric treatment programs and hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other venues, “bringing a message of hope, healing and joy to populations that desperately need encouragement in their lives.”  Most of the performances are in the Boston area, but musicians also have performed in Western Mass. 

At its start in 1994, Tunefoolery had four musicians who played 24 gigs.  Today it has 52 members, all of whom receive a stipend for their work. One of them said recently, “The more successes I have, the more the illness becomes irrelevant.”   

Because the budgets of so many social service agencies have been cut, Emily’s grant and others keep the music and the musicians going.  Executive Director Jens Rybo wrote:  “In reading Emily’s story, we feel that the joy and love with which she so clearly lived her life resonate strongly with our mission.” 

We agree.  Emily would want Tunefoolery to rock on.