Holly Mulcahy, concertmaster at the Wichita Symphony, launched Arts Capacity, which brings classical music to correctional facilities. Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography.
In Tuesday’s (7/11) Wichita Eagle (KS), Lindsay Smith writes, “Classical music filled the silence at El Dorado Correctional Facility in April as about 20 inmates sat in chairs forming a semi-circle to hear five musicians play. The recital wasn’t a typical one. Not only was it held in a prison, but after every song, violinist Holly Mulcahy would pause and ask the audience how they interpreted each piece. Making sure the inmates knew there were no wrong answers, they responded to the songs with tales of overcoming obstacles, forbidden love and even a ‘sad re-telling of a memory.’ The recital opened with two violin solos played by Mulcahy. The full set list included songs from Bach, Stravinsky, Mozart and modern-day composers Del’Shawn Taylor and Peter Golub. The concert was put on by a program called Arts Capacity, which brings these recitals to prisoners to help them cope with challenges. The program was started by Mulcahy…. While Mulcahy has connections in Wichita as the concertmaster for the Wichita Symphony, she actually started Arts Capacity … in a prison in Georgia about six years ago…. The goal is to provide prisoners with an understanding of using music as therapy to help them once they’re released.”
