Reflecting the Human Longing for Beauty: Paraorchestra

The British Paraorchestra, which features world-class musicians with disabilities, just released this youtube recording.  Let's help it go viral.

I can't stop playing this piece. Perhaps this is how the Mystery sees us:

If this world makes you crazy

And you've taken all you can bear

You call me up

Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why I love you

So don't be afraid to let them show

I do not think this piece is more special because it is performed by people with disabilities. Music is for everyone. I think it is special because it is a reminder that all of us, no matter our personal limitations have a human longing for Beauty. I teach struggling learners and this experience reminds me daily that all of us have infinite value because we were summoned into being from nothingness. All of us have a relationship with the Infinite.

Charles Hazelwood, 46,  founded this orchestra last year. It is not a gimmick.“I am not interested in creating a ghetto for disabled performers, but using this opportunity to lift them up, enable them to take their rightful place.” And that is side-by-side with non-disabled musicians, on equal terms."

You can buy True Colors on itunes here. Thank you to blog subscriber Wheelie Catholic, who writes about the intersection of faith and disabilities, for posting this song first.