Music has the power to bring people together, offering comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.

In March, our WestCare Centre community experienced that magic firsthand with a deeply moving concert from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO). We welcomed conductor Martin Butler and a talented 13-piece string ensemble to our 110-year-old Westcare chapel, where the breathtaking acoustics brought every note to life.

Music offers a gentle escape. It has been shown to ease stress, calm emotions, and provide a way to express what words cannot, particularly for people experiencing homelessness. A concert like this gave the WestCare community a rare chance to step away from daily struggles and share in a moment of beauty, joy, and connection.

The program ranged from toe-tapping folk tunes to well-loved classical works, with one unforgettable highlight: Jess, a regular at WestCare, bravely stepped up front to play a modified violin for the first time, performing alongside the orchestra.

Usually a singer herself, in her words Jess described the experience as “brilliant!” “You don’t get that much on the streets, so I thought it was great,” she added.

For the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, moments like this are at the heart of their mission. Rachel Pitson, Learning & Community Programs Manager explained, “Music is food for the soul, and we want to bring that to as many people as possible. Concerts like this give us that opportunity.”

Several musicians also rolled up their sleeves to help prepare and serve lunch for our community members, sharing conversations and laughter over a meal.
For many at WestCare, it was more than a concert, it was a rare chance to feel uplifted, connected, and part of something special.