Over the past year, a new and exciting programme from Britten Pears Arts has demonstrated the transformative power of live performance at two prisons local to Snape Maltings – HMP Warren Hill and Hollesley Bay.

As part of the wider music programme, this initiative has seen a range of talented artists visiting the prisons to deliver live performances, offering prisoners a unique opportunity to experience high-quality music in an intimate setting. Performances have included cellist Alban Gerhardt (Aldeburgh Festival Featured Artist 2024), Seckou Keita (Summer at Snape 2024), RELOAD (Britten Pears Arts Residency) and Fibonacci Quartet (Chamber Music in Residence).

This programme not only aims to enhance the prison environment through creative expression, but also seeks to foster rehabilitation and personal growth through the arts, making the connection between creativity and transformation more tangible for those incarcerated.

Each performance offers a change from the usual prison regime, with everyone welcome to come to the visits hall for an hour of live music and an opportunity to ask professional musicians questions, gaining insight into their background and career. For many, this has encouraged them to develop their own skills and inspired outcomes created in music projects throughout the year.

Miyabi Duo are a classical guitar duo with extensive experience working both as performers, and in community settings. In February 2025, Miyabi Duo visited HMP Hollesley Bay for a performance in the chapel.

“Friday evenings in prison are monotonous. Some play pool, others concoct microwave ‘mush’, or jump on the phone, before ending with the inevitable reruns on terrestrial tv. 40 plus prisoners at the Chapel in ‘The Bay’ enjoyed a much more enriching experience on the evening of Friday February 28th, 2025. The Miyabi Duo descended for a classical guitar performance, on a memorable evening for all in attendance.

The musical offering kicked off with Dansas Poetas, originally a piano composition. Hugh strummed away as Saki plucked with surgical precision. After taking the audience on a 10-minute melodic journey of rhythmic crescendos, one could hear a pin drop when the song ended. The crowd applauded, ready for more. A diverse demographic, of all ages and backgrounds, now knew the mastery they were in for.

After briefly filling in the audience on their musical backgrounds, and fielding a couple of generic questions, up next was Mother’s Song. A Japanese lullaby, Saki added a funny story to it. Her mother once travelled from Japan to a Miyabi Duo concert in Norfolk and was in tears after said song, perceiving it as a tribute to herself. Saki unfortunately burst her bubble after – the song was simply suggested by a friend and worked well for the duo – no maternal tribute!

The night’s final piece, Tona Dia, was a three-part drama by blind Spanish composer, Rodrigo. It was split into a Spikey Overture, Pompous Minuet, and Lively Finish. The piece included dramatic tempo changes, crescendos, and even felt John Denver-esque at one point. The musicians showcased their telepathic versatility all the way, then ended with a fittingly grand finish. Cue a prolonged applause, as the crowd thanked the Miyabi Duo, for the music.

One day the folks will ask ‘What were Friday evenings like in prison?’ What will they think when we reply with all the usual stuff: the table games, the improvised culinary sessions, and that one time. That one time a classic guitar duo mesmerised us for an hour, temporarily removing our minds and souls from prison.”

Extract from HMP Hollesley Bay newspaper.

“Our concert in HMP Hollesley Bay was our first experience inside a prison. Although we didn’t know quite what to expect, we were excited for this opportunity to share our music within this setting. After arriving, we walked through the prison’s campus in twilight towards the chapel, passing birds and rabbits against a backdrop of woodland nature.

After we arrived and set up on stage, the chapel began to fill, and we were struck by just how many men had chosen to come to our concert. While some of the audience may have been familiar with classical guitar music, we were aware that for many this would be the first time they had come up close with the classical guitar in a concert. Our goal was to create a relaxed and open atmosphere where people could ask questions in between pieces.

We wanted to curate an experience for people where they could be transported away from their usual routines and connect with themselves and each other through listening to music. We were truly amazed by the fantastic reception we received, and we enjoyed speaking to members of the audience individually following the concert, answering their questions about our careers, guitars, and the music. We left feeling exhilarated from the atmosphere we had shared, and this memory, along with the beautiful and thoughtful article from the prison’s newspaper, has certainly made this a performance we will never forget.”

Hugh Millington and Saki Kato, Miyabi Duo

Find out more about Britten Pears Arts’ work with the Criminal Justice System.

With thanks to Eileen and Clive Schlee, and the Criminal Justice Circle.

Main image: Miyabi Duo © Benjamin Ealovega