지친 마음에 음악으로 위로를... 29명의 발달장애인으로 구성된 하트하트오케스트라의 특별한 연주준비

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.
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.
It's hard to give concerts right now, so the orchestra is working to give hope to people through concerts on TV and YouTube.
The sound of each instrument comes together, making one harmonious piece of music.
The members of the orchestra look just the same as in any other all concentrating on their own instruments... but with a slight difference.
Comprised of 29 members with disabilities, the Heart to Heart Orchestra has been delivering hope through regular concerts since 2006.
"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."
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.
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'.
The composer says there are reasons for choosing this selection of songs.
"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."
However, the pandemic is making it hard for people to practice as strict virus prevention measures need to be followed.
String instrument players need to wear masks,... and wind instrument players are confined to their own booths.
Although it has been difficult... one member says he wants to inspire people.
"I would like to give them courage and tell them not to give up even if they have disabilities."
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'.
Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.