Allowing Voices To Be Heard
by:
Holly Mulcahy
It’s been nearly a month since performing a recital in Walker State Faith and Character Based Prison. The experience was no doubt memorable, but after finally reading all of the surveys prisoners filled out and notes jotted down by prisoner mentor, Alan Bonderud, it was clear we had something uniquely special. The reoccurring theme on the prisoners’ surveys was the impact they felt sharing their emotions or interpretations while experiencing each musical work. There was a distinct value placed on the living composers works and that sentiment was also mentioned a number ... Continue Reading
“Tonight I didn’t feel like an inmate”
by:
Holly Mulcahy
It is next to impossible to sum up the feelings, the emotional impact, and the shared experiences at the recent violin recital in prison. Performing at Walker State Faith and Character Based Prison was one of those career highlights you don’t really expect, but are utterly grateful for. I published an article leading up to the performance, covering the plan, the reasons, and the hope for sincere impact in the lives of people who are working hard at self-improvement in a challenging environment and/or time in their lives. My expectations were exceeded. ... Continue Reading
Thank Your Music Teacher, Part 2
by:
Holly Mulcahy
I assumed I had missed the opportunity to thank my first music teacher. But I was wrong! After I put out part one of Thank Your Music Teacher, I was notified by my 5th grade orchestra teacher that my elementary school general music teacher was still alive. I immediately sent her a letter of thanks, and one week later she returned the gesture with a lovely note back. It’s impossible to share the amount of joy her letter brought me, but judging from what she wrote to me, she received a great ... Continue Reading
Medium Security, Maximum Benefit
by:
Holly Mulcahy
For about two years I’ve been curious about bringing music into a prison. It started with the questions: Does music heal? Does music change lives? Does music inspire? Bringing music to a population of people in a place to be “corrected” makes for the right time and place to offer music for the sake of healing, changing, and inspiring. Prison performances are not new ideas by any means. Many orchestras and chamber groups are already doing this. But I’m going solo, violin solo that is, and it is exhilarating and terrifying at ... Continue Reading
Thank Your Music Teacher
by:
Holly Mulcahy
Coming from New York City to sing with the Chattanooga Symphony for the Holiday Pops, Scott Coulter was coming home. Coming home to Chattanooga where his musical journey began. Scott announced to the audience, “Is Jan Johnson in the house? Jan was my first crush and she was my first music teacher.” Scott had not seen Jan in decades, but clearly her influence and gentle guidance into the world of music helped shape Scott’s life and career. After the concert I watched Jan run up to Scott and they hugged each other. ... Continue Reading
