World-renowned classical musician Eric Genuis performs his ministry at prisons nationally and internationally. His 90-minute concert of piano, violin, cello and vocals is punctuated by his “stories,” very powerful and personal preaching of healthy spirituality and psychology. Several parishioners have witnessed his engagement and impact on the incarcerated at Rayburn Correctional Center. We will sponsor concerts at SCS Church and SCS School this fall in order to raise funds to support his ministry.
 

DONATIONS:  Free will donations will benefit Concerts For Hope, a ministry which brings beauty and dignity to the forgotten and marginalized members of our society.  Checks can be made out to St. Catherine of Siena with Concert for Hope on the memo line.

Testimonials – Eric Genuis Concert for Hope
 
On May 3, 2019, SCS parishioners witnessed this visible impact on the 114 incarcerated men in the chapel at Rayburn Correctional Center.  Additionally other parishioners have witnessed his performances.
 
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Coming in I had no idea of what to expect. Here is what I saw and heard:
 
I saw inmates eager to see the concert. Eyes and ears that were glued to the stage. Inmates rocking and moving to the music. I heard incredible music played by incredible musicians. I heard appreciation, and gratitude from the inmates.
 
The whole experience was positive, and moving. The beautiful music played offered all the opportunity of a free heart, if only for an hour. The stories of hope were simple, relatable, and delivered with powerful impact.
 
Rich Baudry
 
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I can't begin to tell you what an amazing experience it was for me personally.  And what a privilege it was not only to hear his beautiful compositions and to listen to the stories he shared; but a particular blessing for me was to observe and listen to the inmates at Rayburn sitting nearby.  
 
I chose to sit toward the back of the room among the inmates in order to watch.  The effect of his performance on these men was unbelievable!!!  I could see the men listening intently as he engaged them in conversation, humming along or swaying to each song at times, turning to comment to me on how amazed they were at the talent of  the accompanying musicians and vocalist, overwhelmed by the performance of each, sensing the gentleness, joy, and challenges presented by his songs and stories.  It's hard to describe how much he touched people in that short period of time, but what I saw will remain with me forever.
 
Jackie Appleton

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I was moved by the performance given for the benefit of the prisoners.  Talking with the men after the concert, I discovered they too were moved.  Eric and his accompanists had their undivided attention, and one inmate indicated he was moved to tears.  They so enjoyed his performance; it was truly a special evening for all involved.  In addition to the music, Eric’s interactions with the men was something to behold!  He made those men feel valued for ninety minutes.  I am sure Jesus was with us in that room, moving to the beat of the music and feeling the love!
 
As for myself, I too was moved to tears.  His final performance of "Here I Am" was incredible!!  I could feel the power of his love for his daughter through the song and music.  The entire ninety minute performance was outstanding, and Eric’s musicians and vocalist performed superbly.  They didn't just play music; they felt their music; and in turn, I felt his message as well.  It was a splendid evening at Rayburn!
 
Pam Truxillo
 
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 Eric said his mission is to uplift humanity by giving them beauty.  With each number, the increased engagement of his audience became more apparent.  The dueling crescendo of violin and cello on Panis Angelicus, “Bread of Angels,” by the Carnegie Hall-level musicians was very moving.
The next day, Eric and his 3 accompanists traveled to Angola Prison for another concert.  The warden there has asked him to return in September to perform on death row.
 
Mark Truxillo
 
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We cannot recommend this concert strongly enough. We discovered Eric's genius as a composer/singer about 15 yrs ago and I can assure you he'll take your breath away due to his gift for writing music, passion for his faith, and personal stories in between songs that are hard to believe. He served as speaker/performer for a Legatus meeting a few months ago and as expected left us all speechless. I truly hope everyone tries their best to make this event, as your heart will be full upon leaving. God bless!
 
Julie & Matt Ungarino

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I have attended two of his Christian-centered (he is a devout Catholic) concerts and marveled at how his words and music move people. 
 
Eric’s music is indeed Carnegie Hall concert quality and if he wanted to he could make a very comfortable living as a composer, musician, music teacher, etc.  Instead, Eric travels the world performing concerts for inmates in prison, half way houses for drug and substance abusers, residence ministries for abused women, and other locations that generally fall under the mantle of corporal works of mercy.  He also targets special needs schools and schools where violence, divisiveness, drug problems, truancy and other social issues drag learning to the level of barely. 
 
One of his more recent bookings was to perform a two hour plus show for the death row inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York.  His show is originally-composed music, violin and cello and an operatic singer, all Juilliard school quality young men and women.  He interlaces music with personal stories that Eric shares on the power of music to those who have lost hope or direction, stories of witness, hope, perseverance and of course faith and love. 
 
Larry Merington
 
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