지친 마음에 음악으로 위로를... 29명의 발달장애인으로 구성된 하트하트오케스트라의 특별한 연주준비<br /><br />Today marks the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities... and to mark the occasion, Arirang News is running a special series of four news stories.<br />For the third story, our Kim Bo-kyoung met with the members of the Heart to Heart Orchestra, whose mental disabilities have not stopped them from playing music together.<br />It's hard to give concerts right now, so the orchestra is working to give hope to people through concerts on TV and YouTube.<br />The sound of each instrument comes together, making one harmonious piece of music.<br />The members of the orchestra look just the same as in any other all concentrating on their own instruments... but with a slight difference.<br />Comprised of 29 members with disabilities, the Heart to Heart Orchestra has been delivering hope through regular concerts since 2006.<br />"We select members every January through auditions,... and we have held around 9-hundred concerts,... not only at Seoul Arts Center but at other globally-renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall in New York and John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC."<br />This year's concert comes amid COVID-19 and so will be pre-recorded without a live audience and aims to ease any stress caused by the pandemic.<br />Classics by Mozart and Beethoven are ready for online audiences to enjoy,... along with other popular songs including the soundtrack from the much-loved Disney movie 'Toy Story'.<br />The composer says there are reasons for choosing this selection of songs.<br />"Mozart's songs are usually very neat and I wanted to show the audience that players with mental disabilities can put on tidy and neat performances. Beethoven's are very energetic which I thought would go very well with the passion of our orchestra."<br />However, the pandemic is making it hard for people to practice as strict virus prevention measures need to be followed.<br />String instrument players need to wear masks,... and wind instrument players are confined to their own booths.<br />Although it has been difficult... one member says he wants to inspire people.<br />"I would like to give them courage and tell them not to give up even if they have disabilities."<br />After Thursday's recording, the performance will be uploaded to Heart to Heart International's YouTube channel and will later be aired on 'Arte TV'.<br />Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.<br />
