“Beauty before me. Beauty behind me. Beauty above and below and all around.” These are the words of a song that the OMAG Choir singers “signed” and performed during the first GCI Arts Gala.
In preparation of the Arts Gala, I sought volunteers to introduce each song the Choir was to perform. The men wrote out their introductions, some having insightful historical and cultural context, others relaying personal connections to the song. One person in particular offered an introduction that left me speechless and not knowing how to conduct myself, let alone the choir. The resident introduced the song, “Cantar!,” a lively song sung in English and Spanish involving a vocal improvisational section. The men loved singing this piece! Then it happened. The resident spoke “off script.” The resident told the audience that 20 years ago he took someone’s life. He said he regretted this act as a young man (he was 18 years old at the time). Silence. He continued to say that for the first time since his incarceration he felt free as a result of being in the OMAG Choir. Silence. He returned to his place within the choir.
How does one follow this? How does one “break into song” after this introduction? How does one sing a jubilant song? Was I happy? Was I sad? It was my turn. What should I do? My head swirled. Finally, I heard a singer from the back row of the tenor section, commanding, “Come on, Doc, you can do it. Let’s go!” Right, the show must go on. I can unpack later. So onward we went with a renewed musical and emotional intensity. But this is the type of emotional vulnerability the residents, directors, and audience members brought to the arts gala interactions.
Singing Behind Bars 