The Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, consisting of 12 brass virtuosos, held a master class with a group of visually impaired students in Incheon on Sunday, as part of efforts to encourage disabled people through the power of music.

“This was my first experience sharing musical inspiration with disabled children and it meant a lot to me. I realized once again that music is a communication tool that goes beyond language barriers,” said Sarah Willis, a French horn player in the ensemble.

Willis and 17 other brass instrument players of the Berlin Phil, often referred to as one of the three major orchestras in the world, are currently in Korea holding recitals in five cities. 

Since last week, the Berlin ensemble has performed at Busan Citizen’s Hall on June 28, Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang on June 29, Seoul Arts Center on June 30 and Gwangju Culture & Art Center on July 1. They are to hold their last recital at Incheon Culture & Art Center on Tuesday. All concerts are free.

On Sunday, the players offered private lessons to 12 students from Hyegwang School for the Blind in Incheon and performed some popular works together.

“It felt like dream receiving a lesson from world-class musicians with the Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble,” said Choi Seung-ho, 19, one of students attending the class. Choi’s school runs the nation’s first orchestra of visually impaired students. The orchestra will perform at the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games in Incheon in 2014.

The Berlin ensemble is in Korea at the invitation of Eagon Windows & Doors, a local company manufacturing construction materials. Eagon has been holding music events every year since 1990 to offer cultural experiences to the underprivileged. The company has also been supporting the Hyegwang School and its orchestra since 2007.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)