CLEVELAND — Arts programs across the country have suffered because of restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, meaning performers are no longer able to do what they do best.

The Cleveland Orchestra has found a way to still bring music to its fans.

Not being able to work or perform, Alan Harrell, a cellist with the Cleveland Orchestra, began teaching music classes during the summer for children on Facebook Live. Now, he's back doing what he loves: playing with the orchestra.

"It's just great joy because we're able to make music and do what we were born and trained to do, so there was just a lot of joy to see your colleagues and get to play Beethoven," said Harrell.

While Harrell is back on stage, not all members of the orchestra are able to safely perform because of their need to not wear a mask.

"Because we don't know about the transmission for winds and brass, they can't play right now,” Harrell said. “And so right now it's just strings and percussion and we've had pianists do.”

Approximately 50 members are rehearsing in person and they're doing so while following CDC guidelines for social distancing, but social distancing while playing instruments presents a whole new set of challenges for the musicians. One of those challenges is how they hear each other while performing.

"You have to use your ears less in a way because if you use your ears you're hearing light because people are all over the stage, and so you have to trust the conductor, we all already do trust the conductor, but you really have to go with what you're seeing rather than what you're hearing. Because a lot of times if you hear it's just going to be behind and everything's going to fall apart," Harrell said.

To keep the members safe, each musician takes a COVID-19 test the day before rehearsals start. They get their results back by the next day and are then cleared to rehearse. Harrell said they do everything they can outside of rehearsal hours to keep themselves safe from getting the virus.

"Trying to be as safe as possible and be responsible, so like we don't go to parties,” Harrell said. “We just do all the things that the governor told us."

So far, no one in the orchestra has gotten COVID-19, but as cases have surged in Cleveland and Gov. Mike DeWine has issued a stay-at-home order, the orchestra’s annual Christmas concert has been cancelled. Harrell said they'll miss playing for their audience but they still plan to bring hope to others through their music.

"I think we need music now more than ever. Personally and as a community, I think it does remind us and gives us hope. And so I think, you know, the fact that we're playing in these online things is helping. Hopefully it's helping in some way with people. Because I think one of the hardest things about this pandemic is not only that people have gotten ill obviously but it's the mental aspect of it, the endurance of it,” Harrell said. “People are stuck at home and with the new mandate, you know, we're going to be home more. And so I think it's hard mentally for a lot of people, and so to give music is important and I think that's whether we do it online for the brass and winds or music education programs that myself and others are doing or these online concerts that we do. I think it's life giving."

For now, Harrell is focused on playing while he can and he's also back to giving music lessons to children online.

Orchestra performances can be streamed through Adella.