KOREA FOUNDATION

[Review] Sounds of Korea Enchant American Ears

A variety of cultural events sponsored by the KF were recently held at universities offering Korean Studies courses throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, introducing traditional Korean music and choral folk songs to American audiences.
  The KF-supported Chunhogarang, Korea’s only all-male gayageum ensemble, toured the Northeast, beginning at Brown University in Rhode Island on March 19 and proceeding to Wellesley College in Massachusetts on March 20, Middlebury College in Vermont on March 21, and New York University on March 23. The band delighted all in attendance as they played not only the 12-string gayageum but other traditional instruments such as the piri, the Korean pipe; the saenghwang, a wind instrument made from bamboo pipes; and the yanggeum, a 14-string zither.
  The second series of events involved a number of concerts from the Suwon Civic Chorale. The first performance was held at Bowling Green City Schools on March 23, followed by concerts at the University of Michigan on March 26 and Ohio State University on March 28. The choir presented a wide repertoire that included Korean lyrical songs and folk music, including the “Korea Folk Song Festival,” arranged by composer Kim Gi-young, and “Arirang” and “Oh! Deahanminguk” by Woo Hyo-won, the world-renowned choral composer from Korea. While singing Korean folk songs, the group engaged the audience with the movements of their folding fans and small hand drums.
  On April 7, as the last portion of the event, a KF-sponsored neo-folklore academy Badi gave a performance at Indiana University. Presenting Korean classical music and pansori, the team delivered an in-depth overview of Korean traditional music. The musical events were a significant stepping stone for the KF to introduce Korean culture to the American Midwest and Northeast regions, where access to such performances remains limited.

#Sounds_of_Korea #Chunhogarang #Suwon_Civic_Chorale #Korea_traditional_music