On a recent Sunday afternoon, members of Hearts for Music performed in concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, demonstrating the organization’s motto: “Transforming Disabilities Into Abilities.”
Hearts for Music, a nonprofit organization, welcomes musicians of all ages and abilities. The current orchestra consists of about 20-25 members ages 6-60 who manipulate and play a variety of acoustic instruments, digital instruments and adaptive instruments.
(See photo gallery above.)
Among the audience members at the All Souls Day cathedral concert were Bishop Edward Malesic, Tom Fielding, cathedral music director, and Father Joe Mamich, cathedral pastor. It was the first time the group performed in the cathedral.
“We are so blessed to be here on All Souls Day,” said Kitrael Chin, president, director and founder of Hearts for Music. Chin is a board-certified music therapist with more than 20 years’ experience. “We had the great privilege of performing at the Vatican in April,” Chin said, referring to a special concert April 29, shortly after the death of Pope Francis. The event was livestreamed worldwide.
“Our music speaks to all,” Chin said.
Orchestra members set up in front of the altar and performed more than a dozen pieces of popular, sacred and classical music. Lei Grismer Ramos, special guest vocalist, joined them to sing Ave Maria, Pange Lingua and Salve Regina.
Orchestra members, some of whom had a parent or caregiver assisting them, used tablets for the performance. One member accompanied the group on a keyboard, as did Chin, who also directed the musicians.
Bishop Malesic, himself a musician, watched and listened intently. After the concert, he expressed his appreciation for the orchestra and its work. He first encountered the group when some members performed as part of Stations of the Cross at St. Mary Parish in Hudson last year, shortly after learning they had been invited to perform in Rome.
After the cathedral concert, the bishop spent time chatting with members and caregivers and posed for a group photo.
Hearts for Music offers fall and spring semesters. The current session meets at several sites, including St. Bernard Parish in Akron and St. Rita Parish in Solon.