Arts Council Hires Local Musicians To Play At Forsyth County Vaccine Clinic

People getting their COVID-19 vaccine at a Winston-Salem clinic may be serenaded in the process. The performances by local musicians are made possible by the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. 

As a couple leaves the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on Thursday after receiving their vaccine, they nod and thank the two violinists playing near the entrance to the building.

Ewa Dharamraj and Gregorio Midero are musicians with the Winston-Salem Symphony. This is the first time they've been able to play live in a year.

“We chose a variety of music. We chose some classical pieces. We played also some lighter music, faster, happier, also slow and moving,” says Dharamraj.

Midero says, "If we can provide more music, even in hard times, it will give comfort for more people."      

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is using its Artist Relief Fund to pay the musicians for their work. President and CEO Chase Law says it's the beginning of bringing the arts back in person. County Health Director Joshua Swift says he hopes music on site will create a welcoming environment.

The performances will include a variety of genres and instrumentalists. They began this week and run Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through March 31.