Young@Heart Chorus Prison Project：ヤング@ハート「プリズン・コンサート」

Young@Heart Chorus Prison Project (ヤング@ハート「プリズン・プロジェクト」） Filming and Editing: Kazuhiko Iimura/ translation: Maya Iimura The article of Y@H in "The Huffington Post Japan" 「How the Young@Heart Chorus Touches the Hearts of Prisoners」 Kazuhiko Iimura/ Translation: Maya Iimura “They’re rockin’ out as always” Young@Heart is funded by individual donations as well as donations from local businesses. They are not simply entertainment but an active part of the local community. Recently, the chorus has been focusing on social contribution. The most predominant, started two years ago, is the “Prison Project”, which takes place in a local prison. The main activities of the prison project include rehearsals once a week and a concert every six months. Of course, all volunteer based. For the weekly practices, Bob Cilman (Young@Heart Chorus Executive Director) and a few chorus members visit two local prisons, a men’s prison and a women’s prison, providing singing lessons for two hours to whomever wishes. These practices are always full of laughter as well as singing. The prisoners choose the songs they want to sing, which include a few originals. The majority of these are rap music written by the prisoners themselves. The name of these singers is the “Old Souls”. This also, they chose for themselves. Witnessing these prisoners singing along with the grandmas and grandpas of Young@Heart is exceptionally moving. At the end of each concert everyone, including the audience, raises their right arm above their head and sings “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan. Moments later the room is filled with cheers. The voices and down to earth personality of Young@Heart moves something within the hearts of the prisoners. Over time, the prisoners get attached to Young@Heart and join their community. The “humanness” of Young@Heart is astounding. So what triggered this Prison Project? According to Bob, it was the concert they did at a prison in 2006. At first, they had no idea what would become if it but the results were unbelievable. Bob recalls, “It was a kind of magic and I realized that I had to come back again. But next time we wouldn’t simply perform for them, it would be wonderful if we could hear them singing” So, Bob then created this Prison Project to fulfill this goal. The prisoners are imprisoned for a variety of crimes such as robbery, trespassing, and illegal drug possession, but Bob said, “I don't know what brought the prisoners here and I have no interest in finding out. That has nothing to do with us. The one thing that is important is that they return to the community and we want them to accomplish that in the best possible way. It may be a small influence but I believe our project is helping that.” What is it about a movement involving music that only a group of people averaging 83 years of age can accomplish? Perhaps it is their positive attitude towards music and their passion towards something they love. And above all, the message that, “It is never too late to start something new!” which they prove to us by doing it themselves. They send the message loud and clear but for some reason there is nothing overpowering about it. This relaxed nature must be a result of a long life of experiences the members bring together. Nelson, one of the prisoners involved in the Prison Project represents the spirit of this project. He turns 38 this year and has spent more than half of his life in prison as a result of repeated crimes, such as robbery. By the time his sentence is up he will have turned 41. Nelson says, “I’m tired of living in regret,” and by joining this project he has gained the chance to escape the negative cycle. “I have to break the cycle, try something new out of my comfort zone. Growing up I was never involved in music but I love music so I decided to try it this time. The chorus members are good people. They came in here without judging and welcomed us with open arms. I sang at a one of the concerts. I was a little nervous but that helped me open up more. I realized that there’s going to be things in life that are not going to go your way but if you don’t try it you’ll never know.” Nelson also believes that this experience will help him after he is released. “I was able to join a community. Now I know that it doesn't matter how old you are and it inspired me to be better and I’m going to evolve. Why should I go against the system when I can use the system to better my life?” “It is never too late to start something new!” This way of “being” expressed by the Young@Heart Chorus touches the hearts of the prisoners and changes their perception. For a long time the prisoners struggled with the feeling of inferiority, stress in the surrounding environment, regret, and above all the negative attitude of, “It’s too hard to rebuild my life,” but because of this project they seem to be slowly moving towards a more positive perception of life.