A Concert of Connection

Miki Sawada's Inspiring Performance in Prison

By C., a Boston College Prison Education Program student

In the heart of the Medium Security Prison gymnasium, under the stark glow of overhead lights, an unlikely stage was set. Chairs formed a half circle around an electric piano in the middle of the basketball court. The audience was composed of incarcerated college students, Boston College Prison Education Program (BCPEP) professors and staff, and prison personnel. We gathered for a rare experience: A live piano performance by Miki Sawada, an artist whose mission is to bring classical music to places it is seldom heard.

Sawada – a 2024 nominee for the Pianote Award “Most Inspiring Pianist” worldwide and recognized by The Boston Globe is not just a musician but a bridge builder. As founder of the “Gather Hear Tour," she made it her purpose to travel the country, performing in places that rarely host classical music. Her work embodies the spirit of Boston College's motto, "Men and Women for and With Others," fostering connection through music across economic, social, and political divides.

Her program for the afternoon was carefully curated, a journey through time, culture, and emotion that resonated deeply with the diverse audience.

Bach's Movement: A Glimpse into the 18th Century

The concert began with an eighteenth-century cantata movement by composer Johann Sebastian Bach, immersing listeners in the intricate and elegant Baroque era. Sawada's precision and expressive touch brought an air of refined grandeur, her fingers dancing across the keys with the control of a master storyteller. The piece, though centuries old, carried a vitality that felt immediate and alive, echoing through the gymnasium like a conversation between past and present.

Haydn's Sonata: Order and Surprise

Haydn's three-part sonata followed. Composed 250 years ago during the Classical period, it is a work of structured brilliance and playful unpredictability. Sawada played with a balance of discipline and freedom, capturing the humor embedded in Haydn's composition with unexpected pauses, sudden dynamic shifts, and intricate counterpoints. The joy with which she played was evident in the subtle smiles that slipped through her focused expression. The audience, most of whom had never encountered Haydn before, leaned in as if decoding a well-crafted puzzle engaging with the music in real time.

Brendon Randall-Myers' Two-Part Movement:

This was a modern piece crafted specifically for Sawada by contemporary composer Brendon Randall-Myers. The piece, which appears on Sawada's 2021 album A Kind of Mirror, beautifully combined piano notes with subtle electronic sounds, creating a harmonious balance where neither element overpowered the other. Instead, each supported the other in surprising ways. The first part, titled "Shadow," evoked a meditative quality, providing a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere that enveloped the audience like a warm blanket. In contrast, the second part, "Cascade," took us on a journey where focusing too intensely on one aspect could lead to missing others. It concluded with resonant tones in the lower bass clef reverberating through our bodies. Randall-Myers’ two-part movement exposes and speaks to the duality of human nature, one part soft, and nurturing, the other hard, and unwavering.

Florence Price's “Black Fantasy”: A Voice Unheard Now Heard

A standout moment came with Price's “Fantasie Negre No. 2,” a work by the first African American woman to have her music performed by a major orchestra. The piece carried the weight of history and the soul of gospel, blues, and classical traditions intertwined. Sawada's interpretation was both reverent and bold, filling the space with rich harmonies and rhythmic drive that seemed to pulse with life itself. In this place, where many have experienced being unheard, Price's music felt especially poignant. A testament to resilience and recognition.

Rachmaninoff's Sonata: A Motion Unleashed

If the previous pieces engaged the intellect, Rachmaninoff's sonata reached straight for the soul. The tempest of sound erupted from the piano. Waves of romantic longing and introspections collided in the air. Sawada's ability to harness both the power and tenderness of Rachmaninoff's writing made for a breathtaking experience, her hands moving with near impossible agility and force. The connection she had to this piece was evident in the emotion her body radiated as she played through the second movement. The room was utterly silenced between phrases, as if the audience was collectively holding its breath.

“Meditation on America the Beautiful”: A Shared Reflection

Closing the program was a deeply moving meditation of “America the Beautiful.” Before beginning, Sawada passed out flash cards and asked, "What kind of country do you want to live in? When you listen deeply, what do you hear?" Composer Huang Ruo took the familiar melody and unfolded it slowly, letting each phrase linger in the air like a question and in fact; it was. As she played, she read the answers written on the flash cards from her previous concert creating a connection between different audiences, erasing socioeconomic divides. In a setting where American ideals often feel distant, this reimagined version of a national hymn offered a moment of unity and an invitation to reflect on the country's promises, struggles, and possibilities.

A Performance That Transcended Walls

Following the performance Sawada took questions from the audience. When asked what she expected the first time she performed inside of a prison she admitted, "I thought people would be depressed and withdrawn. Instead, they were full of life and rowdy. People were excited and they asked insightful questions." She emphasized that an hour of music where "we can all be human together" was one of the most meaningful experiences of her career.

Patrick Conway, Director of the Boston College Prison Education Program, highlighted the broader significance of such events within the educational framework. He noted that a Boston College education extends beyond course work, emphasizing that exposing students both inside and outside of prison walls to different cultural experiences is essential. "School is not just about courses, even though that is the foundation," he said.

More than Music; A Moment of Shared Humanity

Sawada's concert was more than an afternoon of beautiful music – it was an act of connection. The setting of a prison gym became, for a few brief hours, a concert hall where labels of "incarcerated" and "free" dissolved, leaving only people gathered in shared experience. For Boston College, whose commitment to education knows no bounds, this event exemplifies men and women for and with others in action.

For the prison administration, this performance demonstrates something powerful: that the arts have a unique ability to support rehabilitation, encourage introspection, and build community. Classical music, often considered distant from everyday life, proved to be an effective engagement in transformation. As the final note faded and the audience rose in applause, the impact was undeniable. This was not just a concert, it was a testament to the idea that beauty, when shared, has the power to humanize, to heal, and to bring people together even in the most unexpected places.