The Rice Philharmonics, also known to their fans as The Phils, are hoping their new album, "Phílos," will help spread the healing power of music.
The name of the new album, which means "loving and beloved," was selected to honor the group's creativity, resilience and love for each other and their music. The Phils put two years of work into this album, with 21 different members contributing everything from American classics like "Drift Away" to more contemporary pieces like "Paris in the Rain."
After carefully deliberating and considering what’s happening in the world today, the group decided to move forward with releasing the album this month.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic and current events that have been painful and stressful to so many, we hope that this album can provide a spot of happiness and share some hope during these disturbing times," said Natalie Gault, a Rice senior and the group's president. "We strongly believe in music's power for self-expression, coping and healing, and sincerely hope the album will bring even some small relief from this distressing time."
The release of the album also gives the group an opportunity to show its solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Phils are contributing the royalties from the album to Indivisible Houston, a nonpartisan advocacy group dedicated to fighting injustice.
"Many of our own members and alumni are part of the community most directly and painfully impacted by recent events," Gault said. "We just want everyone to know that we see you, we appreciate you and we love you."
For more information on the album, visit http://ricephilharmonics.com/.