VOLA, the manufacturers of the iconic faucet designed by Arne Jacobsen and Verner Overgaard in 1968, and distributed and sold here in the United States and Canada through Hastings Tile & Bath, celebrated their employees' dedication to craftsmanship by surprising them with an impromptu concert from members of the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra.

What everyone expected to be a normal working day at VOLA turned into a truly unforgettable one. Suddenly, while the factory workers went about their usual business, a line of musicians appeared. But not just any musicians — a selection of members from Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, one of the most popular of its kind in Denmark with an impressive 85-year history guided by constant artistic curiosity.

Spread out across both the factory floor and the platform above, the orchestra delivered a stunning performance of Aaron Copland's piece, Fanfare for the Common Man, to a captivated audience of VOLA employees. As the piece kicks off with a loud gong, it was sure to get everyone's attention from the get-go. The event marked the first performance by Aarhus Symphony Orchestra since activities had to cease due to COVID-19.

"It was amazing to play live music for real people," said Jesper Nordin, artistic director at Aarhus Symphony Orchestra. "Normally, we invite people to join us in a concert hall, but this time we were invited to be a part of the daily life of everyone at the VOLA factory — and it was such a great experience."

For VOLA, inviting Aarhus Symphony Orchestra to give a surprise performance for the employees was not simply about providing an entertaining break in the middle of the working day. Rather, the goal was to demonstrate the connection between the musicians and the precision of their instruments on one side and the VOLA employees and the beautifully designed products they manufacture on the other. In short, it was a celebration of the dedication to aesthetic beauty and craftsmanship that they all share, even though VOLA and Aarhus Symphony Orchestra inhabit very different worlds.

"At VOLA, we are greatly inspired by the world of culture, and especially the way a big orchestra operates. Strong leadership gets them to where they need to be, but a relatively flat structure and limited hierarchy enables each person to take pride and responsibility in their specific contribution — and we are striving for the exact same thing at VOLA," said Birthe Tofting, sales and marketing director at VOLA. "The VOLA employees and the musicians in the orchestra have a similar kind of passion for what they do, whether it's ensuring that the tap coming off the production line is perfect, or that the high note is hit at exactly the right moment. This passion united everyone on the day of the flash mob, and it was clear to see the respect the VOLA team had for the orchestra and vice versa. Everyone was able to witness the strength of unity within the respective teams, and that is what made it a truly memorable event. Another noteworthy aspect of this event is that it is that it could only have happened in Denmark. We are well respected for our approach to mindful living, and this event demonstrated exactly that."