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NEW YORK - In a groundbreaking initiative, Carnegie Hall has unveiled its Well-Being Concert Series, reimagining the traditional concert experience to promote mental health and well-being.

Breaking away from conventional concert hall norms, these performances invite attendees to immerse themselves in a cozy, inclusive environment, complete with soft floor cushions and a warm, inviting ambience.

Sarah Johnson, director of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI), has explained the vision behind this innovative series via the website Reasons to be Cheerful. 

"Given everything that people are navigating in today's world, we wanted to intentionally craft a communal musical experience to maximize the health benefits of attending a performance," said Johnson.

The series, which premiered earlier this month, includes 16 concerts designed not just to entertain but to deliver tangible health benefits.

This initiative finds its roots in a 2019 World Health Organization report highlighting the stress-reducing and anti-loneliness benefits of music. Coupled with the realization that many Americans struggling with anxiety and depression lack adequate care, Carnegie Hall saw an opportunity to make a difference through music.

The Well-Being Concerts stand apart from traditional performances. Instead of a raised stage, artists and attendees share the same level, often forming a circle around the performers. This arrangement fosters a deeper connection, as noted by one of the artists, Sarah Elizabeth Charles.

"It feels much more connected," is how Charles describes the difference. "We're trying to really hold the space for the audience to have as fruitful of an experience as possible during the concert. It's a really cool way to dig into the meaning of the content," Charles said.

Originally piloted for health care providers and individuals affected by the justice system, the overwhelming response led to the expansion of the series.

The season's first concert, held on Nov. 11, was dedicated to healthcare workers from New York City's public hospitals, capping attendance at 100 to maintain intimacy.

Both Johnson and strategic advisor Ian Koebner emphasized inclusivity and the avoidance of stigma in these events. Koebner, who also hosted the first Well-Being Concert, begins by inviting the audience to engage in mindful breathing and a simple form of mindfulness meditation, carefully avoiding the word "meditation" to prevent any misconceptions.

As Carnegie Hall continues to host these Well-Being Concerts, it sets a new standard in the intersection of art and wellness, offering a sanctuary of relief and connection through the power of music.