A Symphony of Songs: Harmonies For Healing

 

Performances make up a big part of the club and allow the band to connect with their community. “For me, performance is arguably the most important part of being a musician because I think the whole point of music is to be able to share it with other people.” James Liu ’25, a pianist and club head said. Yuki Heeger ’25, a cello player and club head, detailed the club’s performances: “We typically perform for retirement homes, and once a year we also hold a benefit showcase where the Hopkins community can donate to a good cause.” The Towers, a senior living home in New Haven where the club often performs, allows student performers to form a connection with their community. Kyle Abrahamsen ’26, the drummer of the club, appreciated the opportunity to perform at The Towers since “the residents were very sweet and it was nice to brighten their days.” Caryn Kim ’26, a flutist said, “I would say that playing at The Towers in New Haven is my favorite event. It's a classic, but I love seeing the senior citizens.” Not only that, but the performances allow for them to bond with the Senior community. Kim added, “I got to know one of them personally from my Writing Semester field trip. That trip was [one] reason why I decided to sign up for my first Harmonies for Healing concert.” She continued, “I hope that we continue to perform at the Towers and meet the senior citizen community because seeing their faces truly makes my day; their compliments and passion for music leave me smiling.”

Many members joined Harmonies for Healing for this opportunity to connect with their community. “I was inspired to join Harmonies for Healing because I wanted to bring music, something I often only play for myself, to more people. I liked that it was an opportunity to use music to spread joy,” Heeger said. Kim reflected a similar sentiment: “I wanted to join Harmonies for Healing because I grew up with music and gained a love for it. Knowing that I can show such love for music to others and even soothe them with it, I wanted to join Harmonies for Healing.” Abrahamsen gave two reasons for this decision to join the group: “I wanted to get more experience performing live in front of an audience. Especially in bands led by students. It’s also nice to be doing it for a good cause.”

However, organizing their performances requires planning and adaptation. “It is difficult to schedule time when a whole band is available,” Abrahmsen said. Liu echoes the idea, stating: “I would say the hardest part is finding a time when everyone is available because weekends are busy for people. It's also hard to find time to do on-campus events because it's hard to set up a time in Heath after school.” Abrahmsen also reflected, “I need a lot of time to move a drum kit, if there isn’t one on location.” But some of the obstacles end up creating great memories for the group. Heeger recalled, “One of my favorite moments was when once, we didn’t have a keyboard, so instead of playing music James [another band member] led everyone (players and audience) in a sing along.” Instead of being bothered from the experience, Heeger reflected on it in a positive light. “We made the most of what we had, and it became a really fun moment for everyone.”  

The adaptability of the club led to Abrahamsen describing the culture of the club in three words: “welcoming, flexible, [and] fun.” Members of the club hope to continue this community in the future as Kim said, “With this club, I hope to be able to play at more places and spread our love for music throughout New Haven. I think we could show the power of music and how moving it truly can be.”