Inmate Orchestra Alaska

The first lesson was how to open a violin case. That was in 2003, when eight inmates of the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, a women's prison in Alaska, had their first musical training, with the goal of starting a string orchestra. Most of them did not read music and had never held a music instrument in their hands. But soon, weekly rehearsals began, and the newly-minded musicians were encouraged to practice their instrument every day. By now, the orchestra has grown in size and in quality. Every year during the pre-Christmas season, the orchestra performs a public concert. Georg Hirsch visited the orchestra in Alaska to learn more.

Listen (in German)

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