Monroe County Jail Incarcerated Individuals and U of R Eastman School of Music Students Make Music Together

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, as part of the Monroe County Jail’s Rehabilitation Services Program to incorporate the therapeutic effects of live music into the weekly routine of incarcerated individuals.

For four weeks in April, eight Monroe County Jail incarcerated individuals engaged in a one-hour class, twice a week, working with Eastman faculty member Elinor Freer to create original musical compositions, with the assistance of a computer software program called Hyperscore.  Developed at MIT, Hyperscore allowed the incarcerated individuals to compose unique and personal short musical works, which were then workshopped in real time by the Eastman students. The culminating event of the project was today’s concert inside the Monroe County Jail, in which the Eastman student performers brought to life the musical compositions for an audience to include other incarcerated individuals and MCSO staff.

 "The power of live music, created by both the incarcerated individual, in concert with the talented student musicians, resonates beyond the walls of the Monroe County Jail,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “This unique experience is proven to be therapeutic for those working on a path forward. It also provides a teaching and learning experience for the student musicians who spent time with the incarcerated individuals weekly to create these works of art.”

The Eastman collaboration with MCSO is part of a pilot program. If the measure of success continues, the music classes may become a permanent part of the Eastman School of Music curriculum and involve even more incarcerated individuals in the future.

 “Music is one of the most powerful and effective tools that exists for someone seeking to reclaim their life and sense of self,” said Eastman School of Music Faculty Member Elinor Freer. “Creating and listening to music allows us to tap into the innermost parts of ourselves, parts that are critical for healing and moving forward. And providing our Eastman students with this opportunity to see how their music can be used as an instrument for social change is one of the best educational experiences we can give them.”

 Thank you to the following performers for giving of your time and talent:

 Israel Anselme, Viola

Felix Harkness, Cello

Aiden Hughes, Percussion

Amelia Posner-Hess, Violin

Elin Schlichting, Violin

MCSO looks for ways to change lives for the better. Through these opportunities, we are saving and improving lives.

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Amy Young
Communications Director
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
MCSOCommunications@monroecounty.gov
(585) 753-4518