"People come with low expectations but they leave touched because we show them a higher quality of music. In my opinion, the members practice 30 times as hard as a regular professional orchestra to come to this level. "
Developmental disabilities often stunt learning and communication skills which add another hurdle the musicians must overcome.
"As far as I know, there is no match in the world because, to make harmony, the most essential part is to communicate with each other, among the members of the orchestra. But they mostly lack communication skills."
"I started the violin when I was thirteen. It makes a beautiful sound with the bow. The violin is like a good friend of mine."
The orchestra has performed more than a thousand times since 2006.
It has toured around the world, from New York‘s Carnegie Hall to Washington D.C‘s Kennedy Center, touching the hearts of audiences worldwide.
And most recently, the orchestra once again inspired audiences on Wednesday night at the Seoul Arts Center.
"Basically they are such a lovely group to work with. They‘re brimful of enthusiasm and their love of music is evident all throughout the rehearsals."
"Things don‘t have to be perfect to be beautiful. I learn a lot from these musicians and I‘m so happy to be part of this experience and to be making good music together."
Here, music serves to bridge the social gap between who‘s defined as disabled and non-disabled and as a way to alleviate some of the social prejudices towards people with disabilities.
Director Shin Jae attempts to achieve this through a performance called "Characters."
This show isn‘t your typical production.
It has no discernible story or plot.
It just opens a door into the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
And it provides the stage for the disabled to freely express themselves.
"A show is just a time to meet new people and tell new stories. This production is just a time to meet 11 new people who are part of this act. They‘ve been creating art in their daily lives, and that process was just moved onto the stage."
"To show to the audience, it‘s not just that we can see the disabled people just in the backside. We can include them here and we can be together."
At the end of the show, the audience spilled onto the stage, breaking down the invisible barrier, and all danced together with the show‘s characters.
The show will run until this Sunday at the Sejong Center.
(번역)
