“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 wroteContinue reading “Art, Family, Community: Pt. 2”
Tag Archives: performance
Arts, Family, Community: Part 1
To celebrate creative endeavors at the prison, the GCI deputy warden and director of recreational activities collaborated with arts facilitators volunteering within the prison to host the first ever “Arts Gala.” The groups—OMAG Choir, OStrings, Poetry, and Visual Arts— presented a two-day event, the first performance date for the residents’ families/friends and the second forContinue reading “Arts, Family, Community: Part 1”
Spring Musicale 2017
June 4, 2017 Only a few short weeks after OMAG’s performance for Family Visitation Evening, we geared up for our second annual Spring Musicale in the Visitation Room of the Hope Center at the Grafton Reintegration Center. I had sent invitations to colleagues, friends, prisoner advocates in the Cleveland area. The men invited their familyContinue reading “Spring Musicale 2017”
Light switch moment
During the Spring season of OMAG, we worked to prepare for our contribution to the Chaplain’s service as a part of the Wednesday evening Family Visit Evening. During that occasion, we were asked to provide approximately 25 minutes of music. As is typical of Family Evening, there are chairs and clear plastic tables set up,Continue reading “Light switch moment”
Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow…
Caroling, caroling through the snowChristmas bells are ringingJoyous voices sweet and clearSing the sad of heart to cheerDing, dong, ding, dongChristmas bells are ringing. Santa hats donned. OMAG folders in hand. Officer and Programming Director as guides. OMAG sets forth through the bitter cold and occasional snowflake to spread good holiday cheer. But who isContinue reading “Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow…”
Singing Behind Bars 