by Currents News
Pope Francis’ general audience on October 23 came with a soundtrack as a unique orchestra played Queen’s “We are the Champions” towards the end of the pontiff’s talk in St. Peter’s Square.
The catch to this tune? The young musicians, members of the Graeme Clark Orchestra, are actually deaf but able to play with the help of cochlear implants.
The small electronic device that is surgically implanted inside the ear to assist users with their hearing capabilities.
The music group was named in honor of the inventor of the cochlear implant, professor Graeme Clark.
The Spanish group of 12 performers was established in 2019 to provide musical development opportunities to young people with severe or profound deafness.
They say meeting and playing for the pope has been a highlight of their visit to Rome.
“It has been a very special experience and quite unique above all,” one musician told Currents News. “I am very excited about it.”
“We want to show people that a deaf person with a cochlear implant can do whatever he wants in his life if he doesn’t put up those barriers that people put in front of the public,” explained another member of the group.