CBC’s Michael Enright provides exceptional coverage of our recent Millhaven event

On October 11, 2019, Looking at the Stars presented a piano trio at Millhaven Maximum Security Institution. It was our third visit to Millhaven and the FIRST to be recorded by a major media outlet. CBC Radio One The Sunday Edition with Michael Enright created an extraordinary recording of the event, including interviews with Millhaven’s Warden and some insightful commentary from inmates.

CBC has also posted Michael Enright’s personal essay on his experience here. (Click to open in a new tab)

We are sincerely grateful for Michael’s attention to our work and very impressed with the technical abilities of his sound crew, who recorded this classical music event in Millhaven’s gymnasium to produce a recording of amazing quality!

Please share this post with your friends and family. It is an excellent summary of everything Looking at the Stars is about! Donations to our work are gratefully received at https://archive.lookingatthestars.org/donate/

Tune in to CBC Radio One The Sunday Edition 2019/11/10 at 11am

Have you ever been inside a maximum security prison?

Join us on Sunday, November 10 at 11am.

CBC Radio One The Sunday Edition with Michael Enright presents a recording of
our recent classical music gift to inmates at CSC Millhaven Maximum Security Institution.

This was (and is) an historic event.

This is our THIRD event at Millhaven Maximum Security Institution and the FIRST time a major media organization records such an event for public presentation. Please don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience our work.

More Fall Program… Grand Valley, Archambault and Joliette

Programme confirmed for October concerts at Millhaven Maximum and Bath Medium

[REPORT] April 2019

Read more

Fundraising Concert at Grace-Church-on-the-Hill

Read more

[UPDATE] 2019 Event Schedule

We’re pleased to present these confirmed musical gifts for 2019. We will continue to add more dates and venues as we are able to arrange them.

(Editor’s note:  Millhaven Maximum Institution has confirmed our attendance on April 25.)

April 9
Bath Medium Institution (Bath, ON)
String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Bryan Holt, cello; Jeremy Potts, violin)
Program
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto
Beethoven – String Trio No. 5, Op. 9 No. 3
Handel – Largo from ‘Xerxes’
Haydn – String Trio
What a Wonderful World
Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 6
Handel – Selections from ‘Water Music’
Piazolla – Libertango
West Side Story – “There’s a Place For
Us” and “One Hand, One Heart”
Dohnanyi – Serenade, Op. 10d

April 11
Collins Bay Medium Security Institution (Kingston, ON)
String Trio (Igor Gefter, cello; Mark Skazinetsky, violin; Katrina Chitty, viola)
Program
Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Bach – Brandenburg No. 3
Haydn – Emperor Variations
Rachmaninov – Vocalise
Beethoven – Serenade Op. 8 (1st mvmt)
Mozart – Rondo – String Quartet No. 6
Bruch – Kol Nidrei
Gershwin – I Got Rhythm
Shostakovich – Romance
Bartok – Romanian Folk Dances
Piazzolla – Libertango
Charlie Chaplin – Smile
Jay Unger – Ashokan Farewell

April 11
Collins Bay Minimum Institution (Kingston, ON)
String Trio (Igor Gefter, cello; Mark Skazinetsky, violin; Katrina Chitty, viola)
Program
Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Bach – Brandenburg No. 3
Haydn – Emperor Variations
Rachmaninov – Vocalise
Beethoven – Serenade Op. 8 (1st mvmt)
Mozart – Rondo – String Quartet No. 6
Bruch – Kol Nidrei
Gershwin – I Got Rhythm
Shostakovich – Romance
Bartok – Romanian Folk Dances
Piazzolla – Libertango
Charlie Chaplin – Smile
Jay Unger – Ashokan Farewell

April 12
Grand Valley (Medium) Institution for Women (Kitchener, ON)
String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Bryan Holt, cello; Jeremy Potts, violin)
Program
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto
Beethoven – String Trio No. 5, Op. 9 No. 3
Handel – Largo from ‘Xerxes’
Haydn – String Trio
What a Wonderful World
Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 6
Handel – Selections from ‘Water Music’
Piazolla – Libertango
West Side Story – “There’s a Place For
Us” and “One Hand, One Heart”
Dohnanyi – Serenade, Op. 10

April 16
Warkworth Medium Security Institution (Warkworth, ON)
String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Bryan Holt, cello; Jeremy Potts, violin)
Program
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto
Beethoven – String Trio No. 5, Op. 9 No. 3
Handel – Largo from ‘Xerxes’
Haydn – String Trio
What a Wonderful World
Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 6
Handel – Selections from ‘Water Music’
Piazolla – Libertango
West Side Story – “There’s a Place For
Us” and “One Hand, One Heart”
Dohnanyi – Serenade, Op. 10

April 25
Millhaven Maximum Security Institution (Bath, ON)
String Trio (Katrina Chitty, viola; Bryan Holt, cello; Jeremy Potts, violin)
Program
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto
Beethoven – String Trio No. 5, Op. 9 No. 3
Handel – Largo from ‘Xerxes’
Haydn – String Trio
What a Wonderful World
Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 6
Handel – Selections from ‘Water Music’
Piazolla – Libertango
West Side Story – “There’s a Place For
Us” and “One Hand, One Heart”
Dohnanyi – Serenade, Op. 10

April 30
Pacific Institution Regional Treatment Centre (Abbotsford, BC)
Lukas Geniusas, piano
Program
Rachmaninov
Chopin
Gershwin

October 11
Bath Medium Security Institution (Bath, ON)
Piano Trio (Lukas Geniusas, piano; Jonathan Crow, violin; Joseph Johnson, cello)
Program TBD

October 11
Millhaven Maximum Security Institution  (Bath, ON)
Piano Trio (Lukas Geniusas, piano; Jonathan Crow, violin; Joseph Johnson, cello)
Program TBD

[UPDATE] Spring Meditation Fundraising Concert

Looking at the Stars is pleased to present our first fundraising concert of the year, in the historic Grace Church on-the-Hill in Forest Hill, Toronto. Since our founding in 2015, we have provided 19 gifts of live classical music to Canadian federal prisons and 11 concerts to hospitals or long-term care facilities. These events are supported exclusively by patrons and private donations from caring individuals like you who recognize the power of live classical music to heal and inspire. Please consider purchasing concert tickets with optional donation to allow us to continue providing these important musical gifts to those who need them most. Donations of $100.00 or more qualify you as a VIP attendee to enjoy a post-concert meet & greet with the Performing Artists and Looking at the Stars Executive.

As part of this evening’s experience, our Artist In Residence, Mr. S Gordon Harwood, will create a new painting inspired by the evening during the performances, which will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Mr. Harwood has created numerous paintings during concert events in several prison institutions, which were then donated to their respective Inmate Committees.

As a registered charity we can provide a tax receipt for the donation portion of your purchase. To receive a charitable tax receipt for the donation portion of your purchase, please email info@lookingatthestars.org with your request. Charitable Registration No. 77958 5298 RR0001.
Tickets go on sale February 1, 2019. Purchase your tickets at www.lookingatthestars.org/tickets.

[REPORT] Beaver Creek Medium Nov. 13 and Beaver Creek Minimum Nov. 14

Andrea Tyniec, Violin

Back again to Beaver Creek Institution – SIX performances at BCI since our first musical gift to CSC.

Following the pre-concert visits to both institutions and meetings with inmate committees, internal advertising, an enthusiastic, and oversubscribed, previous performance at the Medium Institution in November 2017, dozens of letters and testimonials, a group donation, and an unusual program,  finally having our best friend and supporter Douglas Parrett there on the regular basis, following all of the above  – the attendance was very disappointing (approx 70 and 55 inmates respectively). The Minimum Institution was particularly disappointing. Again and again we have noted a frequent absence of prison staff, which is no longer a surprise, but rather a confirmation of a possible gap between the various stakeholders involved. Attendance is beyond our control and we are fully dependant on CSC staff and inmates in this regard. This is a challenge, but we will overcome it eventually.

The men who were present fully compensated for the aforementioned shortcomings by bestowing a cordial, enthusiastic reception on the soloist, Andrea Tyniec. Andrea again (as was the case at Grand Valley Institution for Women earlier this year) offered a program which presented a well-prepared narrative of dramatic moments in her life intertwined with the works of “alternative” composers, such as Biber, Corigliano, and Sokolovic – a musical equivalent of the same personal narrative, but retold by the violin. Her deeply personal message to the inmates was reciprocated with highly emotional and immediate feedback from the inmates. An excerpts from Les Miserables were read by Dmitri – not a great job on the greatest masterpiece of Victor Hugo, but listened to attentively nonetheless. The numerous testimonials and letters we received subsequently speak to the power and impact of Andrea’s ability to connect to the broad audience and touch their hearts and souls. The inmates letters speak for themselves:

“… I thought of giving up and just saying screw it, what’s the use? …But when I heard Andrea talk about her story… I came made to realize I should be embarrassed and ashamed of thinking of giving up… When she started playing Over the Rainbow, I went back to when I was 6 years old into my mother’s living room watching Wizard of Oz with my mother. The feeling was amazing. Felt like she was playing that just for me…”

“..It is the greater deeper mission of your organization – to bring a renewal, to reinvigorate hope to the lives of men who (like me) need it most (who society for the most part, has generally abandoned & wishes to ignore… You however, have essentially chosen to prioritize us – in essence, you are like a fish swimming against the stream – & for that I am eternally grateful… ”.

“..What a beautiful way to relax in mind, as well as body… Do not hesitate to return for another visit…”

“ … before this last visit I was growing depressed and unfocussed. Afterwards, I I have started my journey to crawl [out] of my mood and to cultivate my focus…”

“I will not spend any of this letter showering you with praises … other than saying thank you. This visit was well timed in my life and helped me realize a few flaws I must fix, and fix I shall!”.

“…after I heard Andrea Tyniec play it amazingly brought me my childhood with Over the Rainbow… It brought out my feelings of joy and memories of my family; brought me to feel love.”

In general, it was great to see many familiar faces, expressing active support and interest in our program during two very extensive and very different, but very meaningful Q&A periods. Also, while I was disappointed by the attendance, I am very satisfied with the reception and impact we achieved – classical music again and again has proven to be an effective instrument for building bridges between those on the outside and those on the inside.

Overall this was a nice way to wrap up 2018…. Thanks to everyone at BCI!

[REPORT] Bath Medium Security Institution 20181019

Bath Medium Security Institution, October 19, 2018

String Trio, Katrina Chitty, viola: Igor Gefter, cello: Mark Skazinetsky, violin

Our fourth performance at Bath followed three hours after the historic event at Millhaven. The difference in the environment and the reception was striking. Warden Ryan Beattie personally greeted our group at the gate.  Ryan then gave a brief presentation about the institution to our group, which was smaller than at Millhaven (5 volunteers had to leave), but stronger, because Mr. & Mrs. Bob Rae had joined us for this performance.

The place was packed with our “regular” fans and some newcomers – about 80 inmates filled the chapel. Interaction with them started as soon as we entered the premises and continued throughout the evening.  I was looking for a familiar face of an inmate, whom I was corresponding with for almost a year, and finally managed to find him at prayer in the chapel. He was happy to see me, but refused to join the event, respecting the religious tradition of Shabbat. My argument of him being a sick man, needing care (giving him exemption from the rule of Jewish law) has convinced him to come. “Don’t improve on Mozart. Mozart is perfection!” he said. His mother used to admonish him when he was playing flute in his young happier days in Vienna, Austria. Good advice to many professional musicians.

After a short introduction from Ryan and without the usual opening remarks from Dmitri, who has chosen to read from Les Miserables as opposed to speak about his own falls that evening, our musicians started the program, which was presented at Millhaven earlier that day. Stan has created one of his best works ever – bright and optimistic – I think the general positive atmosphere played the role. But you really never know, what and when inspires artists. The atmosphere was as always relaxed, but dignified, respectful and engaged. Again and again we could hear the dust settle as the audience listened:

“I always thought only snobby, educated, rich people listened to classical music. That’s why I could not identify or enjoy it immensely. I realize now, that music is a universal language, lifting us up above our circumstances and our isolated negative feelings…Sometimes this place (prison – dk) is so hopeless and doing a life sentence I was resigned to dying here. This music gave me hope and faith in someday getting out of here permanently.””

“…I have known federal incarceration for forty three years…..Tonight, my eyes witnessed for the first time in my life , classical music being played alive. My ears heard the gift of soul, which felt as if divine caress manifested all limitation of mortal restrictions. How can words reflect such joining of meaning?Intersecting to reveal truth in its purest conception. Your gift surpassed all perimeters of what may define music. Grace, elegance, passion, all fail to encompass the infinite reality experienced.”

“..This may sound silly to some people but the truth is that your…. sound of music seems to give me a sense OF HOPE. … I wish everyone in this world could have the opportunity to hear just a little of your music, I truly believe it could help heal and mend pain and sorrow, and even hate !”

“ …I am doing concurrent life and indeterminate sentences…My optimism increased after the concert, especially for having Hon. Bob Rae in the audience. It was unbelievable that I would be shaking hands with Hon. Mr. Rae… The last time I saw him was on TV at the time when he delivered his report for the UN about the Myanmar Rohingas.””

“ …Don’t improve on Mozart. Mozart is perfection! – my mother used to admonish, when I was 10 and played flute in Vienna…”

A standing ovation and a and enthusiastic encore – the deeply emotional and electrifying Hungarian Dance by Brahms, requested earlier by one of the inmates – concluded the performance and interaction with our inmate audience continued intensely for another 30 minutes. People just wanted to express themselves and be heard. There were so many… Ryan videotaped the entire event – I am hoping to receive the first ever video record of one of our concerts at a CSC facility.

Numerous testimonials continue to pour into my P.O. Box. – our music gift has reached the hearts of many men at Bath Institution.