Think about the last live music performance you attended. Chances are, it took place indoors, complete with neon lights, a booming sound system, and a stage separating the artist from the crowd.

But what if you stripped all of that away?

That is the premise behind Scenic Songs – unplugged, acoustic sets nestled in nature, paired with an easy-to-moderate guided hike. By removing the microphones and the stage, the program fosters a sense of collective vulnerability and breaks down the barrier between performer and listener. It is a reminder of our shared connection to the earth and to each other.

Next Verse: The 2026 Season Partnership with Passim

Building on those roots, The Trustees is pleased to partner with Passim for the 2026 Scenic Songs Series.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Passim is a nonprofit arts organization where music, community, and curiosity come together. For more than 65 years, Passim has dedicated itself to championing folk and roots musicians, nurturing emerging artists, and creating beautifully intimate spaces where audiences can experience live music up close. This collaboration represents a natural expansion of Passim’s mission, taking live music out of the historic urban listening room, and bringing talented artists directly into new environments. Whether it’s watching the sunset cast a golden glow over the water at World’s End in Hingham or listening to acoustic chords drift across our beautiful vistas, this season promises to create unforgettable memories on the trail.

A Conversation with Michael Busack, Executive Director of Passim

To get a closer look at how this collaboration came to life, we sat down with Michael Busack, the Executive Director at Passim. For Michael, bringing this partnership to fruition is a full-circle moment. Before stepping into his current role, he served as the Museum Director for Trustees properties – including deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Fruitlands Museum, and The Old Manse.

Here is what he had to say about the intersection of creativity, community, and the outdoors:

The Trustees: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Passim?

Michael Busack (MB): I’m the Executive Director at Passim, which means I spend a lot of time thinking about artists, community, and how we keep live music thriving in Cambridge. Passim has a long history, and my job is to make sure we honor that legacy while staying open to new ideas.

Before this role, I was the Museum Director for the Trustees museums. So working with The Trustees again feels a little like running into old friends who are still doing great things.

The Trustees: What should our readers know about Passim if they aren’t familiar with the organization?

MB: Passim has been part of Harvard Square for more than sixty years. People know us for our listening room, but we are much more than a venue. We run a School of Music, we offer artist grants, and we work hard to make folk and roots music accessible to everyone. Passim has helped shape some of the most important voices in American folk, and we are still doing that work with emerging artists, touring musicians, and the local community.
At our core, we believe that music builds connections. When people sit together and listen, something shifts.

The Trustees: How did the partnership between Passim and The Trustees for Scenic Songs come about?

MB: This partnership grew out of a shared belief that place matters. The Trustees have always understood the power of landscapes and the importance of caring for them and the histories of their communities. Passim understands the power of artists and the importance of caring for them. Scenic Songs bring those two ideas together.

When the opportunity came up, it felt natural. We bring the musical curation, and The Trustees bring these incredible spaces that change the way people experience live performance. It has been a true collaboration, built on shared values around stewardship, creativity, and community.

The Trustees: What has been a highlight of the season so far? What are you looking forward to coming up?

MB: A highlight for me has been watching artists respond to the landscapes. When musicians step into a place like the Fruitlands Museum and the expansive views of the Oxbow Wildlife Refuge and the Nashua River Valley, something changes. The performance becomes more intimate and more adventurous. You can hear nature become a supporting chorus, and you can feel audiences listening in a different way too. It reminds me that music and nature have always been connected. Folk music started outside, after all.

Looking ahead, I am excited to see how artists interpret the final sites of the season. Each place has its own personality, and watching musicians find their way into that is one of the joys of this series. I also love seeing audiences discover Trustees properties through music. The hope is that we will see more overlap in audiences building new things together.

Join Us on the Trail

At heart, Scenic Songs highlights the truth that music and nature have always been connected. By stepping out of traditional venues and onto the trail, this series invites people to experience both art and local landscapes in a fresh, unfiltered way.

The Trustees is grateful for Passim’s musical curation this season, and we can’t wait to see how our communities continue to grow and overlap through this shared outdoor experience.

Ready to experience the magic for yourself? Space is limited to keep these unplugged performances intimate, and pre-registration is required.