Why Are You Here?
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
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?
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
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
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
