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Sharing Notes

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Sharing Notes

Sharing Notes improves quality of life for Chicago hospital patients through intimate, engaging and Music creates a sense of belonging and participation.

It is an antidote to the growing sense of alienation and isolation now that we are being asked to actively practice social distancing. Social distancing and geographical isolation do not have to result in social loneliness. Music is a social balm for soothing anxiety, offering much needed consolation and enhancing community connections. Music can restore balance and reduce suffering. A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that listening to music can reduce chronic pain up to 21% and depression by up to 25%. Studies have linked music to lowering blood pressure and anxiety in hospital patients. Sharing Notes' mission is to improve quality of life for Chicago hospital patients through intimate, engaging and uplifting live music performances. Because Chicago hospitals have temporarily suspended all volunteer programs, Sharing Notes has redesigned our live concerts program into our live, virtual bedside concerts program. Patients or hospital staff can schedule a Sharing Notes musician to personally FaceTime or Zoom with, request a song, enjoy a conversation or simply listen to music. When restrictions lift, our live performances will begin again and virtual bedside concerts will be added to our repertoire of programs for patients who are unable to receive in-person guests. We anticipate our 2020-2021 season to include over 100 virtual and 75 live performances at 5-7 hospitals, providing music for approximately 4500 patients and families. Our commitment to mission and partners, adaptability to rapid change, and innovation are testament to our organization not only surviving but thriving during a time of crisis.

10/09/2026

📣 Introducing our musician of the month: Lisa Boggess! 🪉

Meet Lisa Boggess, CTM, one of our wonderful Sharing Notes harpists! Lisa has been volunteering with Sharing Notes at Central DuPage Hospital Pediatrics for about seven months, sharing music with patients and their families.

We caught up with Lisa to hear a little more about her experience:

SN: What has your experience volunteering with Sharing Notes been like?

Lisa: Each session with a patient and family is an adventure! It is special when a 9-year-old child sets down her electronic device just to listen to the harp, or when a 10-year-old boy smiles as I attempt to pluck out a bit of “Thriller” — Michael Jackson is his favorite!

SN: What do you love most about sharing music in the hospital?

Lisa: What a joy it is to give the patients and their families something different, positive, and memorable! I like knowing that when they leave the hospital, this experience will be one of the moments where they felt especially cared for.

SN: Any recent moments that have made you smile?

Lisa: At a recent visit to Plymouth Place, one group was in PARTY mode! They sang along, applauded after all the songs, and smiled the entire time. They asked when I’ll be back and said, “We’ll be waiting!”

We’re so grateful to Lisa for the joy and care she brings to the Sharing Notes community. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your time and talent with us!

MusicianOfTheMonth

09/28/2026

Last Thursday, Sharing Notes Founder Allegra Montanari and Executive Director Katie Grennan were honored to attend the Chicago Methodist Senior Services fundraiser in support of Hartwell Place, one of our wonderful partner facilities. 💙

We’re so grateful for our partnership and for the opportunity to bring live music, comfort, and connection to the Hartwell Place community. It was a beautiful evening celebrating the compassionate people and programs that help Chicago-area seniors age with dignity. 🫶

09/21/2026

It’s Music Makes It Better Monday! 🎶

Today, we’re celebrating Sharing Notes’ partnership with Advocate Christ Medical Center Advocate Health Care and our feature on the cover of the hospital’s CMC Happenings newsletter!

Sharing Notes Program Director and professional harpist Lauren Hayes recently filled the hospital’s main lobby with live harp music, creating moments of comfort, joy, and connection for patients, families, visitors, and team members. 🪉

These performances are made possible through the generous support of the Glenn J. Oskvarek Foundation Mary Fran Kasper-Oskvarek, in partnership with the Advocate Charitable Foundation. We are so grateful for their support as we continue sharing the healing power of music throughout the Advocate Christ community! 💙

ChicagoNonprofit

09/11/2026

📣 Please join us in welcoming our new Sharing Notes intern, Kevin Thien Truong!

Thien is an emerging international visual and music artist and a student at Roosevelt University, eager to contribute to Chicago’s vibrant music community.

Through his artistry and musicianship, Thien is passionate about fostering connection and creating a positive, welcoming environment. He brings experience from his work as a Marketing Intern at The Auditorium and as a Social Media Ambassador for Roosevelt University’s Office of Career Services.

Thien is beyond excited to connect with our Sharing Notes community through music, and we’re so excited to have him on the team! 💙🎵

Welcome to Sharing Notes, Thien!

09/01/2026

What a year for Sharing Notes 🎉

As we close out our fiscal year today, we’re celebrating the incredible impact made possible by our musicians, partners, supporters, and community.

Behind every number is a moment. A favorite song, a smile, a conversation, a memory, or simply a little more comfort during a difficult day.

We’re especially proud that this growth has happened while staying focused on what matters most: meaningful partnerships, high-quality programming, and an incredible community of volunteer musicians who continue to graciously share their time and talents.

With gratitude to all of our partner hospitals, facilities, and community organizations ❤️Northwestern Medicine La Rabida Children's Hospital Gilda's Club Chicago Advocate Health Care Benedictine Sisters of Chicago Lurie Cancer Center Ascension Illinois Plymouth Place Mary Fran Kasper-Oskvarek Music | Art | Events | Chicago | Dixon | Lake Forest | Illinois Old St. Patrick's Church Continental Nursing and Rehabilitation, Hartwell Place, Sunrise of Lincoln Park, and Clarendale Six Corners.

Thank you for helping us share the healing power of music. Here’s to everything we’ll create together in FY2027! 🎵

ChicagoMusic VolunteerMusicians MusicForGood YearInReview

08/27/2026

Yesterday was an exciting day for Sharing Notes at Advocate Christ Medical Center! Advocate Health Care

We visited the hospital to connect with the team as we continue building our newest partnership. It was also our second Sharing Notes music visit at Advocate Christ, with Program Director Lauren Hayes spending an hour performing harp in the main entrance lobby for patients, families, staff, and visitors. 🎵

We’re grateful for the warm welcome and excited to see this partnership grow—bringing connection, comfort, and joy through live music to Chicago-area healthcare spaces. ✨

ChicagoNonprofit AdvocateChrist CommunityThroughMusic

08/12/2026

Join us on Thursday, August 13th for a truly enchanting evening with Nuala Kennedy & Eamon O’Leary, two of the finest contemporary traditional Irish musicians and songwriters in the world. 🌎 🙌

With an engaging stage presence and understated virtuosity, the duo presents a timeless selection of songs and instrumentals that range from the ancient Irish tradition to reflections on the present day.

Event will take place at a private house in Evanston - address will be sent individually upon RSVP: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/93Ze8A?fbclid=IwY2xjawTpYMtwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6zgrsy6FRUOU50G8KNcwDgA6LbcNgRtDf9DRL00B8SQD3ZtBkbvKlX0qvBzA_aem_1mIj-2PcfmPOVu_U8tk1cQ&vid=1rsr1e

08/11/2026

Things we think are kinda chic ✨ Sharing Notes edition 🎶

07/24/2026

🎶 Sharing Notes is proud to announce the launch of a new program at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, expanding our mission of bringing live, interactive music to patients, families, and healthcare staff.

The program officially launched yesterday, July 23rd, with an inaugural visit featuring longtime Sharing Notes musician Bing Jing Yu, a violinist with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra. Through personalized, interactive performances, our musicians provide moments of comfort, connection, and healing for patients, their loved ones, and the dedicated healthcare professionals who care for them.

This new partnership is made possible through the generous support of the Glenn J. Oskvarek Memorial Foundation Mary Fran Kasper-Oskvarek, whose sponsorship helps bring the transformative power of live music to the hospital community.

We are deeply grateful to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the Glenn J. Oskvarek Memorial Foundation for making this partnership possible, and we look forward to sharing many meaningful musical moments in the years ahead. 💙

ArtsInHealthcare HealingThroughMusic OakLawn AdvocateHealth LyricOperaOfChicago ChicagoMusicians Nonprofit

07/13/2026

🚨LAST MINUTE HOUSE CONCERT ALERT🚨☘️

Join us on Wednesday, July 15th for a chance to hear one of Ireland’s finest folk singers and multi-instrumentalists, Ger O Donnell in an intimate, private outdoor setting.

Ger exploded onto the folk scene in recent years with several number one hits, social media virality and many international tours. He is a renowned guitarist, double bassist and player of many other weird and wonderful instruments.

Event will take place at a private house in Evanston - address will be sent individually upon RSVP.

Doors/drinks/hors d’oeuvres begin at 6:45 PM.

Show starts at 7:30 PM.

Suggested artist donation at the door: $20.

RSVP Here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/c6vsOg?vid=1rbow9 🤘

Address

3712 N Broadway Street, # 571
Chicago, IL
60613

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13134440641

Website

http://www.sharing-notes.org/

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