In the waiting room next to the opening ceremony of the 2016 World Social Welfare Convention held at the COEX Auditorium Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on February 27, 14 people dressed in black busily go around with their instruments. Nam-yong Kim, the instructor, passes through while encouraging them saying, "Tune your instruments."

14 members of the Orchestra for the Disabled Performing at the Opening Ceremony of the World Social Welfare Competition  

These are the members of the orchestra organized by the Heart to Heart Foundation, consisted of members with developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities and autism. They soon stood on the stage where about 1,000 people were watching. "Today's performance is quite special," introduced the MC.

All the audience watched silently as the orchestra struck a harmony in accordance with the baton of the conductor. It was the moment when 10 instruments such as the violin, viola, and cello sang out a melody. Several people took pictures and videos on their phones.

During 20 minutes, three songs were performed successively: Mozart's "25th Symphony No. 1" to Haydn's "Trumpet Concerto" and Brahms's "Hungarian Dance." When the last song was over, the foreigners in the audience stood up and cheered. The applaud lasted for a long time.

Rashmi Panday(India, 37, female), who saw the performance, said, "It is the first time I saw the performance of people with disabilities. It was amazing and perfect. It will be a great motivation for other people with disabilities."

The fourteen orchestra members with developmental disabilities went through challenging times until they could stand on the stage. Seung-yeop Han, head of the Heart to Heart Foundation Orchestra Division, said, "Each piece is the result of practicing 1,000 times during the past 6 months." Out of the total of 40 orchestra members. these 14 members were selected through an audition last year.

Geun-do Kim, who was in charge of conducting that day, has been together with them the past three years. "At first, I did not know what to do with these children with disabilities," he said. "During practice, it was common for some students to be unable to control their emotions. They often screamed or suddenly left the room to find their parents."

Over time, however, their performance skills improved significantly. Kim said, "Constantly repeating classes and practice led to quick growth in their competence. I'm proud, because everyone works hard with enthusiasm. We teach our students to aim for a high level - no difference from those without disabilities."

They dream of being professional musicians. Han-Kyul Lee(21, developmental disability class 3), who is a junior at Korea National University of Arts, has been trumpeting since 2007. Recently, he easily passed the first qualifying round at the Busan Music Competition, a stage that is not easy for even those without disabilities.

Lee said, "I have stood on stage 200-300 times so far. It is fun to blow the trumpet." Lee was an unsociable child who only liked to paint by himself during school days, but has changed surprisingly during his 10 years in the orchestra.

"I want to be a worldwide flutist like James Galway and Emmanuel Faheed," said Dong-kyun Kim(23, autism class 2). Kim graduated from Korea National University of Arts and entered the graduate school (arts specialist) this year to grow his dream. Eun-hee Sung(51), his mother, said, "I am very happy my son has found something he can do for a lifetime. I am proud when I see him full of enthusiasm and improving one step at a time."