The Prison Choir

A Portrait of Louise Adrian

Abstract

I wrote this article during the summer of 2024, when Louise Adrian, the leader of the Prison Choir, was terminally ill with cancer. The text is a memorial for a special and significant person, a discussion of Louise Adrian’s intentions with the Prison Choir, and exploring how Louise Adrian, as a person, became part of something meaningful for the many singers in the Prisoners’ Choir. Thus, the article is a product of curiosity towards a person and her project who has created something unique. With the article, I want to gain insight into Louise’s work, which can hopefully help others and be a role model. That was Louise’s wish. It was important to me that Louise got the opportunity to read the draft of this article and comment. The article includes Louise’s considerations in three conversations towards the end of her life and draws on the book that Louise herself has written about the Prisoners’ Choir, as well as on recordings of the Prisoners’ Choir’s performance and speeches at the ‘Folkemødet’ (People’s Festival) on Bornholm in 2024. Louise ‘reviewed’ the article in July 2024. I wrote this piece to remember a person who did an irreplaceable job for the participants in the Prison Choir, relatives and all who, in one way or another, were in contact with the Prison and Probation Service and for all who have listened to the Prisoners’ Choir’s concerts over the years. Louise Adrian died on 16 August 2024 and was buried on 28 August 2024. The Prison Choir sang, and hundreds of people accompanied Louise to her final resting place. Louise lived to be 59 years old and made an indelible impression on many people, including me.