IF THERE’s been something to take heart from during this crisis, it’s been the groups and communities that have found ways to express solidarity and togetherness despite enforced separation.

With touch out of the question, people have leant on sound — with people sharing renditions of Bella Ciao from the rooftops or, if you’ve got my neighbours, hacking out Bob Marley on acoustic guitars every Friday night.

But while certain communities are primed for such action, others aren’t. And many vulnerable individuals, in this scary time, are well-advised to not even stand at the front of their house — let alone risk coming into closer contact with their neighbours.

The World Harmony Orchestra — the “other” WHO — is an ensemble of professional musicians which has previously used music to highlight causes such as the plight of refugees in France and Bethlehem and to commemorate the Holocaust.

More recently, the group planned to undertake a series of Cuppa Concerts — trying reaching the elderly and isolated with tea a 30-minute performance at their home.

But due to the pandemic, this initiative has been adapted to reach those isolated indoors due to the coronavirus with a concert, at safe social distance, outside their own window.

WHO director Romain Malan explains: “The most isolated people in society are the most likely to get even more isolated because of the virus. Having someone play music especially for them can help them feel connected to the community.”

He says that the response has been very positive so far, with the group advertising mostly on mutual-aid groups online, and musicians have been asked to give concerts by people who are either isolated themselves or would like one for someone they know, including family, friends or neighbours. 

Initially organising concerts all over London, the group has now performed dozens of times across the country.

The group says that some have been held for cancer-sufferers, who need an extra boost in an already difficult situation.

Others have been birthdays — with people seeking a safe way to make their day. In Doncaster, a woman celebrating hers was able to enjoy piano outside her window — requested by her daughter while the two are separated in isolation.

And, importantly, it’s a way of keeping musicians going too. “Luckily, no one I know has caught the virus yet,” Romain says, “but most of them have endured a massive loss of work, as concerts and teaching have been cancelled indefinitely.”

“We have been told to stay home in order to save lives. This is obviously vital.

“But by trying to stay apart from each other, we may end up too far from each other, physically and emotionally. Isolated people don’t only need material support. They need to feed both their body and their soul.

“And that’s what we artists can provide them with. Not only via online experiences, but also with live performances — because nothing equals the value and humanity of real artistic experiences.”

info@worldharmonyorchestra.com

https://www.worldharmonyorchestra.com