Holly Mulcahy

After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She spends her summers at the celebrated Grand Teton Music Festival. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse.

Why Are You Here?

Fri, Nov 10, 2017Wed, Nov 8, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

Sometimes the simplest of questions are the deepest. “Why are you here?” was asked at a prison recital last month. The prisoner wanted to know why performers would come to such a place when we could be anywhere else. But that question meant more to me than just why I would perform music in a prison. That question is a question any musician should be able to answer honestly at any point in their career. Why was I doing what I was doing, anyway. It is a question that forces one to … Continue Reading

Cultivating Curiosity

Thu, Oct 5, 2017Mon, Sep 11, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

The perception that a classical concert requires a lot of rules to enjoy a concert is not far from the truth. Rules and etiquette, written and unwritten, create a very long list from what to wear to when to clap that can be very off-putting for newcomers and regular concert goers alike. On top of the general etiquette, there is a perception that one must be taught many things about the orchestra. Does information about the composers, the instruments, and the music need to be distributed and discussed before an audience member … Continue Reading

Do You Kiss Your Donors With That Mouth?

Thu, Jul 13, 2017Tue, Jun 20, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

Just days after I won an orchestra position after a grueling audition, a phone call was scheduled for me to speak with the orchestra’s executive director to discuss the new job. Not two minutes into the conversation she told me to hang on and then proceeded to holler the following to someone else in her office: “Hey! We’re all going over to Hooter’s for some chicken wings…I’ll be there soon, K? And, hey, get me a margarita, but only if the waitress isn’t the bitchy one.” This was my first impression of … Continue Reading

Perspectives of Love and Hope

Fri, May 26, 2017Wed, May 24, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

It’s easy for me to write about my perspective during my performances in the prison. I share my point of view and snippets from prisoner surveys along with their quotes taken during our two-way discussions after each piece is performed. For the latest recital, I invited two composers and a few guests from the community to join me. I also asked a few of them to share their unique perspectives and thoughts to add a different vantage point: [box] From composer Wang Jie: To some, prisoners are animals behind locked bars. To … Continue Reading

Sharing Love and Hope Through Music

Sun, May 14, 2017Fri, May 12, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

The first time I performed in prison we discovered prisoners put great value in sharing their opinions. They knew their thoughts would be shared directly with the composers of the works they heard and that made them feel like their opinions mattered. The second time I performed in prison we gained a deeper appreciation for the power of music, especially contemporary music. Hearing directly from the prisoners how new works evoked emotions and thoughts helped shape the planning for the third prison performance. The theme of the third performance was chosen by … Continue Reading