Young Deaf Musicians Perform in Appleton

From: WBAY, WI - Sep 20, 2004

A performance delayed by the 9/11 attacks is taking place at Appleton's Performing Arts Center Monday night.

Forty-one young Japanese musicians who are deaf are performing in the special concert, which features traditional Taiko drumming.

The group warmed up at U.W.-Fox Valley in the afternoon. They know the fact they are deaf helps draw people to their concert.

An instructor explained how the kids can perform without hearing the music: "They have a special handicap for the hearing impaired, so they feel just some vibration through the bones and to the brain. That's all."

The group was supposed to tour the U.S. in September of 2001 -- and were actually in the air flying from Japan to Kansas when the terrorist attacks happened.

The plane was forced to turn around, and until now they haven't had any other chance to play in the United States.

All of the proceeds of Monday's concert benefits the Fox Cities Multicultural Center.

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