Paper to Performance: A day songwriting with dads in HMP Edinburgh

20 Aug 2024

Based on recent conversations with prison staff and families affected by imprisonment, we have been trialling a new session design for In Tune.  In May, we were invited to be a part of a mental health awareness day at HMP Edinburgh, which involved us songwriting with dads in the morning, and then performing the written song(s) to their families in the evening.

Writing songs in a short space of time doesn’t come without its pressures for everyone involved, however, we quickly realised that such a tight deadline also worked well for everyone throwing themselves into it – knowing your family would be arriving later that day to hear what had been created really done a lot for enthusiasm amongst the dads!  Given the success of the day, we have since ran more of these sessions and are sharing with you what a typical one of these days looks (and feels) like.

14th August 2024

Facilitator and Musicians: Grace Dale, Clare McBrien, and Dean Louden

11am: We load up the car with the essentials – from post its to pianos, and not forgetting the all-important fruit and biscuits.  We aim to reach the prison before the lunchtime, otherwise we risk not being through security before the route move and starting late (‘route move’: when prisoners move to and from different parts of the prison for work, education, or appointments.  No visitors can move around the prison at this point).

12pm: We go through security, which yes, does include everything from us down to shakers!  From there we set up in the education block – our designated space for this session.

1pm to 4pm:  Dads participating in the session arrive.  Today, 6 dads have joined us to create a song for their children. Despite them all being new to In Tune, we quickly get into exercises that help us get to know each other; while also starting to explore what the song(s) might be about.  All of the dads get straight into the writing prompts, while also engaging in discussions about what it feels like to be a dad, and what they enjoy the most, or find most challenging, about having a wee one.

It’s important that everyone involved has input on how they want the song to sound, especially as today we have decided to do one group song together.  Since all the dads had younger kids, they decided to keep the song simple and include actions that could accompany the lyrics. The song’s theme centred around emotions, with the dads selecting four different feelings their children might experience and offering advice on how to handle each one. They wanted the song to convey a message of love, emphasising that their kids are what keep them going. One dad shared that seeing his kid is the highlight of his week, while another described the experience as bittersweet – joyful to see them, yet difficult to be apart.

These conversations become the building blocks of the song’s lyrics. Over three hours, we refine the song until everyone is satisfied. Group songwriting is often difficult as it requires everyone reaching a consensus, but the comradery in the room holds a positive atmosphere and ensures that each dad feels represented. Once the song is complete, it is rehearsed before the families arrive (actually singing it being the scariest part of course!).

4pm to 6pm:  Break time.  Although even the breaks are often filled with conversation about the song and reflections on the day.  Sometimes those on the team who are also parents are suddenly faced with the realisation of what it would mean to be separated from their own child(ren), or we learn even more about the complexities of parenthood while imprisoned.  However, we’re also acutely aware that in these two hours we get to step outside the prison, while the dads’ realities are unchanged.

6pm to 8pm:  Children and their parents arrive at the prison – excited and full of energy!  They’re ready to hear their dads perform the song written that afternoon.   This part differs from normal In Tune songwriting sessions and gives us the opportunity to meet the children that the dads have been talking about all day. The experience of sharing the song, created and performed on the same day, adds a really special touch.

After hearing the song, all the families got involved in singing nursery rhymes together (with “Zoom Zoom Zoom” being a particular favourite!), playing various instruments, and enjoying some musical games until it was time to leave.

Despite the longer day, the benefits are immense. We meet the kids we’ve written for and see the joy on the families’ faces, while the dads enjoy a unique and special day with their loved ones. We deeply appreciate the openness required to create such personal songs and to trust us in spaces where trust is often scarce.  We’re always grateful to be welcomed and for the opportunity to collaborate on something so special.

We’re already looking forward to the next one on in early September!


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