Prison work

For us, the most powerful impact of music making is where performance and practice meets compassion and creativity. Alongside our concert work, we are committed to bringing uplifting and enriching musical experiences to individuals in both male and female prisons. Our approach includes performing and teaching established pieces, both classical and non-classical, alongside specially-written commissions for this (in particular the song cycle Alone, Together, by Shaye Poulton Richards, which includes soundscapes) alongside the personal expression of song writing and creation by the prison residents themselves, offering a supportive and non-judgmental space for all participants.

These workshops are designed to engage participants and build relationships, trust and communication through music. Our approach is built on collaboration and empowerment, encouraging individuals to enjoy exploring music, work collaboratively and to express their stories through song.

Empowering through music

We conduct both half-day and full-day workshops in prisons, normally over the course of 3-5 days. Depending on the type of workshop, our work involves crafting original text, utilizing text shared by participants, and creating new text as a group as well as learning and harmonising existing material, accompanied by the harp, our voices, and any instruments that participants bring along or that the prison is able to provide (normally guitars, keyboard and percussion).

Songwriting workshops

Getting to Know You Exercises: We start with activities designed to build trust and create a comfortable space for creativity.
Drama and Trust Games: These interactive games foster a sense of camaraderie and openness.
Vocal and Physical Warmups: Preparing the body and voice for creative work.
Brainstorming and Mind Mapping: Encouraging free flow of ideas and exploration of themes.
Exploring Themes and Chord Sequences: Developing the foundation for original songs.

Participants have the opportunity to craft personal raps, songs, ballads, and guided meditations, with their work culminating in recorded CDs as keepsakes of their creative journey as a group.

Vocal workshops

Getting to Know You Exercises: Building a supportive group dynamic.
Drama and Trust Games: Enhancing group cohesion through playful activities.
Vocal and Physical Warmups: Preparing participants for effective singing.
Learning Tunes and Melodies: Exploring both classical and non-classical pieces.
Harmony Building: Developing vocal skills and creating harmonious group performances.

Both our vocal workshops and our songwriting sessions lead to live concerts where participants perform for fellow inmates and prison staff, showcasing their newfound skills and the collective achievements of the group.

Our impact and approach

We are proud to have been able to work with groups in prisons in Durham and in Edinburgh, and in Geneva, Switzerland. Our work has been enriched by the generous support of the Hinrichsen Foundation and the Cockaigne Fund, which has enabled us to continue offering these musical experiences.

We prioritise a non-judgmental, supportive environment and prefer not to know or focus on former offending or sentences. Our focus is solely on the creative and emotional growth of each participant and how they can create as a group, rather than their past actions. We are here to support and nurture their creative potential, offering a space where they can express themselves freely and meaningfully.

Why we do it

Music has the extraordinary ability to heal, inspire, and connect. By offering these workshops in both male and female prisons, we aim to provide a positive outlet and a sense of hope, but above all one of real connection both with each other and to their own creativity. We are under no illusion that a week of work in the scheme of a long sentence is barely scratching the surface of creative possibilities, but feedback from all of our sessions has encouraged us that the skills and interests sparked in the workshops have been meaningful, and we hope that residents carry this sense of community, connection and creativity forward with them.