Why Did Music Directors from 19 Countries Gather in Korea? "Want to Learn the K-Classic System"

2023 KNSO International Academy Officially Launches

"Korean musicians already hold a special position worldwide. I look forward to the time we will play together. The Korean classical music market also seems hip, with a younger audience than the Netherlands. I have high expectations for the performance venues." - Shin Sihan (29), music student at Germany's Hans Eisler Music University

2023 KNSO International Academy Mentoring_Lucerne Symphony.
Photo by National Symphony Orchestra

The National Symphony Orchestra's '2023 KNSO International Academy,' which nurtures musical talents under the age of 34 worldwide, has officially launched. Fifty young musicians from nineteen countries come from institutions such as Germany's Hans Eisler Music University, the Juilliard School in the United States, and Venezuela's El Sistema. They chose Korea to gain new musical experiences, overcoming a 5-to-1 competition ratio.

The 2023 KNSO International Academy runs for eight days, starting with orientation on the 3rd and concluding with a graduation ceremony on the 19th. Now in its third year, the event saw twenty-one participants from five Asian countries in its first year and forty-two participants from eighteen countries in its second year.

This year, 34.6% of the participants are young musicians from traditional classical music powerhouses such as Europe, the United States, and Japan. The National Symphony Orchestra explained, "This shows that interest in Korean classical music is expanding into Korean music education."

Participants will perform chamber music on the 7th at Seokjojeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul, and orchestral music on the 18th at Lotte Concert Hall. They will also take part in various lectures, workshops, and other programs.

In the orchestral stage titled 'Colorful,' conductor Paul Daniel, who has led the training of young musicians in the UK, will explore the music of Beethoven and Brahms together with pianist Son Minsu, who will join the New England Conservatory in the United States this September. Cellist Kim Dumin, former principal of the D?sseldorf Orchestra in Germany, will participate as a mentor in the chamber music performances. Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will also provide one-on-one mentoring.

Misha Groil, a professor of music physiology at Zurich University of the Arts, will teach methods of physical and mental care for successful self-management.

An event to broaden artistic perspectives through exchanges between domestic and international musicians has also been prepared. It includes the world premiere of young composer Jung Hyunsik's 'Unconscious' and a performance at Deoksugung Palace, using Korean culture as a medium to amplify individual creative inspiration and seek new musical expressions. The Deoksugung performance will invite people with developmental disabilities and their families to share the social value of music. Additionally, participants will deeply experience Korean sentiment through visits to the National Museum of Korea exhibitions, performances at the National Gugak Center, bibimbap cooking, and traditional liquor brewing experiences.

2023 KNSO International Academy Lecture_Body and Mind Training.
[Photo by National Symphony Orchestra]

The National Symphony Orchestra hopes for tangible results domestically. Already, among the first cohort participants, Han Seongeun is actively serving as principal flutist of the Chungnam Symphony Orchestra, Kim Minju as associate principal of the Cheongju City Symphony Orchestra, and Kim Taejin as a tuba player for the Suwon City Symphony Orchestra.

Choi Jeongsuk, CEO of the National Symphony Orchestra, stated, "We feel the changing status of Korean music year by year, so this year’s academy sought to diversify programs, including one-on-one master classes with the world-renowned Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. We will strive to establish our unique talent development system so that graduates of the KNSO International Academy can take their places in orchestras worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.