[UPDATE] Grand Valley Minimum Security Institution for Women – March 29, 2018

Audience:
25

Artist:
Andrea Tyniec, Violin

Volunteers:
1

CSC Staff:
1

Duration:
75 minutes

This event exceeded every expectation – it wasn’t just an interactive recital, it was a dialogue between the soloist, women (80% of prison population) and… a 4-month-old Rhyder, who spent several months in prison with his mother before being born in a nearby hospital in December.  Rhyder was an active, but well-behaved listener throughout the entire Event.

Our soloist arrived with a thoroughly thought-through program – she spoke passionately, but thoughtfully about her long-lasting relationship with classical music and about the role it played during the darker and brighter moments of her life. Andrea played bravely and brilliantly, while methodically narrating her story and engaging all women and tiny Rhyder in the conversation. Suddenly, masterpieces by Kreisler, Bieber, Bach, Tchaikovsky each acquired its own undiscovered purpose and each delivered a different powerful inspirational message provoking the audience to react and reciprocate, which is well reflected in numerous testimonials received.

It was a natural conversation. Hope and optimism generated by the classical music at the times of hardships and falls was the underlying theme. And Andrea did an outstanding job in delivering this message in a personal manner, which stimulated trust and confidence in the audience, which ultimately responded to the invitation to sing Cohen’s Hallelujah and Dance Me to the End of Love, accompanied by a solo violin.

It was more than an interactive concert – it was musical confession; honest, brave and artistically professional.  This performance was an unexpected discovery of the new scenario of our future Events.  It has profoundly touched everyone present, including yours truly and Rhyder who has made history by becoming the first infant to enjoy classical music, produced by a talented young musician and 1689 Baumgartner Stradivari in such unusual venue.

Finally, I can still hardly believe, that GVI Minimum is actually a prison – the building is new and very well designed, it is a part of a magnificent landscape, which opens from almost every large window, it hosts only 30 inmates, who each reside in a separate unit, they engage in various industrial activities, buy their own food (we happened to visit on that day) it is extremely spacious, there’s no barbed wire, security appears to be minimum and the atmosphere reminded of the dormitory.  Not to mention hot water and a washroom. While they are in prison, of course – millions and millions outside (of Canada) would trade places with them. Something to think about before being unforgiving to Correctional Services Canada.

While as during our first visit we unfortunately did not have Warden or staff with us (they were a always preoccupied with other important priorities), our hostess Candice Lee was exceptionally helpful in making our visit most pleasant and memorable. GVI Minimum will go down in history for being the only site in this 3-event 2018 Spring Series, where mini-reception was arranged following the Event.

[UPDATE] Bath Medium Security Institution – April 9, 2018

 

Audience:
45

Artists:
TSO String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Mark Skazinetsky,  violin; Igor Gefter, cello)

Volunteers:
1

CSC Staff:
3

Duration:
120 minutes

Our third (!) Event at Bath, one of the biggest Medium Security Institutions in the country (hosts almost 500 inmates) was very different from the previous two. The majority of this more mature and more sophisticated audience was already familiar with us and has been anticipating our visit. Everyone present was genuinely and deeply engaged throughout the event – some almost exceedingly emotional. The interaction was intense and meaningful.

It was provoked by yours truly, who in my opening remarks reminded everyone present – in addition to about 40+ inmates attending, Nancy Kinsman, Warden; Gord Zuber, Assistant Warden and a chaplain there – about Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine as well as those in the hospitals, terminally ill… Later in the show I spoke again about Humboldt Broncos and Canada, reminding everyone, including myself about our joint good luck of BEING a part of this incredible country…

Men behind bars seem to be fond of people, who come across as imperfect and uncomfortably honest with themselves (no fake news). What does not work outside prison, works exceptionally well inside – you must be an actor outside… No wonder I feel at home in prison.

The “moment of truth” was a quiz about my tweed jacket and an associated inspirational story, originating in a flea market in Rome in 1983.

In the meantime, a Hungarian Dance by Brahms was acknowledged with appreciation by a member in the audience with roots in Austria and another member with roots in Hungary. The former was exposed to music by his strict aristocratic Viennese mother, who would follow him, when he practised piano, suggesting, that “You should not try to play better, than Mozart”… The latter was overwhelmed with the memories of his tragically lost father, listening to gypsys in a Budapest café… Another member of the audience, who has spent 57 of his 77 years on this earth in prison stood up and told everyone, that he can share a story about this exact same jacket and that he now is optimistic about the future.

In the meantime, an inspired and fully focused Stan Harwood created his No.4 painting, which will now become Looking at the Stars Bath Trademark and shared his thoughts about the process with the audience.

As in Collins Bay Medium case, yours truly gifted the Inmate Committee Chairman with his father’s inspirational autobiography. At the end we did manage to schmooze with those dozen, who wanted to speak with us all. They have all asked us to return as soon as possible.

A few days later I got a call from Bath staff verifying our mailing address and advising me of the reason – Bath Inmate Committee will be sending us another donation! I guess we are doing something right…

[UPDATE] Collins Bay Medium Security Institution – April 9, 2018

Audience:
50

Artists:
TSO String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Mark Skazinetsky,  violin; Igor Gefter, cello)

Volunteers:
5

CSC Staff:
5

Duration:
105 minutes

Collins Bay is one of the oldest and biggest prisons in Canada and hosts three institutions – minimum, medium and maximum. We have performed in the minimum in 2017, so were somewhat familiar with the environment.  Our hosts (Nikki Smith and Janice Saunders) were extremely well prepared – the chapel was set up perfectly. We felt the excitement in the air.

Prison staff was numerous and enthusiastic, which was unusual and gratifying to observe. The chapel was packed. Men and the rest of the audience, which also included volunteers welcomed us very warmly. Only a handful have listened or attended a classical music concert in the past, all engaged in a lively conversation with performers and yours truly throughout the afternoon.  It was nice to see Crystal Thomson, Acting Warden sneaking in for about 15 minutes and blending with the crowd. Rev. Gary Reynolds and Rev. Paul Kern were joined by Neil and Gertie Minnema, chapel volunteers.

As usual Stan has created an unusual painting. Once again we witnessed a remarkable and powerful synthesis of a music instrument, paint brush and the audience – creative, uplifting, optimistic, distracting. Katrina confessed, that as she played, she could not resist the temptation of “spying” on the painting creation process and that it emotionally positively affected her performance.  Now only Collins Bay Maximum is missing a painting…

In his traditional “moment of truth” speech, yours truly delivered a message about being ALIVE and BEING in Canada in the context of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy. He also shared a story about the darker period of his emigration in Italy, when he was pretty close to committing a crime…

The Q&A period demonstrated clearly, that our audience the majority of which was under 35, have enjoyed the event and were actively curious to find as much as possible about the music, the performers and their instruments – composers, bow structure, childhood and much more. I only regret we did not have enough time for a traditional “post-event” cup of tea. Next time, perhaps as they want us back.

Our unanimous impression of this visit was extremely positive and optimistic – classical music has hit the right chord in men’s minds and hearts..