VOCALISTS’ DEBUT – A SUCCESS

For the first time in our history, our events featured vocalists. The experiment in three Lithuanian prisons (Spring 2024 Series on May 21-24) exceeded expectations – the inspirational recitals of German soprano Elena Sverdiolaite and Lithuanian tenor Rafailas Karpis (assisted by pianists Gustas Raudonius and Darius Mazintas respectively) culminated in standing ovations, inmates’ singing, and their reaffirming testimonials following the opening concerts in two prisons in Pravienškės.

Our Artist in residence, S. Gordon Harwood created abstract paintings during each of the events and gifted them to our audiences.

Canadian Ambassador to Lithuania Hon. Jeanette Sautner has honoured our Program by paying a historic visit and delivering opening remarks during our “fully packed” event at the Panevežys Women’s prison.

Mindaugas Kairys, a newly appointed Head of Lithuania’s Correctional Services, delivered powerful and unexpectedly emotional closing remarks, emphasizing the positive impact of our gift on the faith of the inmate population.

Our fourth and last performance in Kaunas prison featured our program debutants from Austria Ieva Pranskute, violin and Mislav Brajković, cello.  Their highly expressive and professional performance and engaging interaction with the audience inspired intense applause and an invitation to return.

MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 1st PRISON

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MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 2nd PRISON

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May 23 – PANEVEZYS

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MAY 24 – KAUNAS

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Classical Music Alters the Brain–Here’s How

 

[VIDEO] Schubert in Spring 2024 Fundraiser

On April 12, 2024, we have successfully implemented our traditional, yet very unique fundraiser, featuring a keynote address by Steven Lamberti, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, and a string quintet comprised of leading musicians from The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and distinguished Ukrainian pianist, Anna Sagalova. Here’s a 10-minute video summary for your review.

Schubert in Spring: Our First Fundraiser of 2024

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Lithuanian Prison Service Endorses Looking at the Stars to their European Union Counterparts

Lithuanian Prison Service has recommended Looking at the Stars to their European Union counterparts in Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Belgium.

Please view the letter from Virginijus Kulikauskas, Director General, below.

Letter

2024 SPRING SERIES IN LITHUANIA

In May 2024, we will continue our program in the European Union with the gift of four classical music concerts to Lithuanian correctional institutions.

The series, delivered by an international team of performers – newcomers from Austria, Germany and Lithuania –  will be unique. This is the first time since our inception in 2015, that we will include vocalists in the program – a soprano and a tenor.

S. Gordon Harwood, our Artist in Residence, will create paintings during each of the performances and will gift them to inmates as part of a Looking at the Stars tradition which originated with our Canadian concerts.

This will bring our Lithuanian prisons program count to 35 musical gifts in total.

Click the image below to view the upcoming musical programme.

Looking at the Stars – LITHUANIA – October 16-20

On October 16-20, 2023, we delivered our traditional Fall Series comprised of six interactive concerts to Lithuanian prisoners and general public.

The series opened with a meeting at the Canadian Embassy in Lithuania. Our team, led by Peter Lambert, Board member, met with Jeanette Sautner, the newly-appointed Ambassador who expressed her full support and excitement about our program.

Violinist Martynas Svegzda von Bekker and pianist Darius Mazintas delivered the program, consisting of the works of Franck, Chausson, Bach, Paganini, Svegzda von Bekker, and other composers to the audience of over 500 inmates in five prisons as well about 80 members of general public in Organum Piano Gallery in Vilnius, Lithuanian capital.

All events were moderated by Peter Lambert and Lauryna Einoryte, General manager of LATS, Lithuania.

Looking at the Stars in Nova Scotia

On November 6,7 and 8 Looking at the Stars delivered three classic music gifts to the residents of Northwood Long Term Care institution in three different locations – Chester, Halifax and Beaverbank, Nova Scotia.

Over 100 residents had a chance to relax and enjoy brilliant performances of the works by Bach, Chopin, Albeniz, and Ravel by unique Canadian pianist Walter Delahunt.

We hope to return to Nova Scotia in Spring 2024.

[Release] Toronto Charity ‘Looking At The Stars’ Gifts Classical Music To Northwood Locations Across The Province

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Looking at the Stars Returns to Nova Scotia

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