South Carolina Philharmonic Musicians Engage with Inmates in State Prison System

In Thursday’s (9/19) WACH (Richland County, South Carolina), Marsharia Adams reports, “The South Carolina Philharmonic took its artistry beyond the concert hall and into the hearts of the Camille Graham Correctional Institution on Thursday morning. This new outreach program, developed in partnership with the organization Arts Capacity, is designed to bring the transformative power of music to women within the state prison system. As the Philharmonic performed, women inside the correctional facility joined in, singing and dancing, fully immersing themselves in the experience. Rhonda Hunsinger, executive director of the South Carolina Philharmonic, [said] … ‘This was one of the best audiences we’ve ever had.’… This initiative, a collaboration between the South Carolina Philharmonic and Arts Capacity, aims to harness the power of music and art to aid individuals facing hardship. Arts Capacity focuses on using creative expression to foster communication and culture, making it an ideal partner for this outreach effort…. According to officials, the program not only enriches the lives of the inmates but also supports their rehabilitation process. As South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said … ‘Anyone that participates in a program sees that their discipline improves, and the likelihood of returning to prison diminishes significantly.’ ”