Czech musicians with disabilities score fans across the globe
PRAGUE — It’s an unusual orchestra — one that has played in London, Madrid, Moscow and Jerusalem. Its next stops are New York, Washington and Chicago.
The Tap Tap has become a major musical operation since it was created 18 years ago as an extracurricular activity at a renowned school in Prague for disabled students. It has drawn millions of fans, first at home and gradually abroad.
You can’t tell from its typically rhythmic and professional sound that many of the musicians are in wheelchairs with serious disabilities. And that’s just what its director wants.
Band leader Simon Ornest believes the disabled aren’t often challenged enough, and people tend to be too solicitous of them.
“My goal from the very start was not to do it as a therapy but as a band with everything that it could involve,” Ornest said. “(Those) around 18- to 20-years-old are confronted in our band for the first time with a situation where we really want something from them. We insist on it.”
Ornest said he had a feeling the concept was viable but has been astounded at its success.
“I wouldn’t believe it would be possible to develop it as we have done. It’s an elaborate system with hard work behind it, unexpectedly hard work,” he said.
The Tap Tap began by playing cover versions of band members’ favorite songs. Today, it produces music of its own with help from local musicians. The Tap Tap’s lyrics target the world of the disabled.
“We try to sing about the people with disabilities in a sensitive but also humorous way,” Ornest said.
Their recent hit, “The Bus Director,” is about a disabled man who is prevented from boarding the bus with his bicycle. The song has had over 6.9 million views on YouTube — quite an accomplishment for a song sung in Czech in a country of only 10 million.
“At the beginning, people were more curious about what we are, about what the disabled can perform,” said singer Jana Augustinova. “And then (came) pity — wonder. Now, we have fans as any other band. They like our music, and they don’t consider us a band of disabled kids but as a real band.”