Lotte Department Store Kids Orchestra Holds 'Rejoice Concert'

Supporting Education and Nurturing Young Music Talents
Providing Opportunities for Collaboration with Famous Artists

Lotte Department Store announced on the 22nd that it will hold the ‘RE:JOICE’ concert at Lotte Concert Hall located in Jamsil on the 23rd.

As part of the ESG campaign 'RE:JOICE,' launched to support customers' diverse dreams and challenges, Lotte Department Store established the RE:JOICE Lotte Department Store Kids Orchestra for the first time last year and carried out various activities. This year, they selected a total of 72 second-generation Kids Orchestra members, overcoming a high competition rate of 10 to 1, and have been providing professional training weekly since June.

The scene from last year's Rejoice concert.
[Photo by Lotte Department Store]

In addition to regular training with a professional faculty including former Korean Arts Gifted Education Center Director Lee Seong-ju, the orchestra also held master classes with the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, offering a special opportunity to learn instruments directly from famous artists.

This time, the concert provides young musical talents with a chance to perform on the ‘stage of their dreams.’ Lotte Concert Hall is the first vineyard-style classical concert hall in Korea equipped with a pipe organ, making it a coveted venue for classical musicians.

The performance will feature conductor Lee Min-hyung, former deputy conductor of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, leading the Lotte Department Store Kids Orchestra members, as well as a collaboration with renowned violinist Danny Gu. Conductor Lee Min-hyung, who also led the first generation, has overseen the entire process from selection to training for the second generation this year, dedicating himself to enhancing individual skills and harmonizing the distinct sounds of all 72 members.

The concert will last approximately 110 minutes, beginning with Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture Op.96,’ followed by carefully selected high-level pieces performed by adult orchestras such as Saint-Sa?ns’ ‘Danse Macabre Op.41’ and Ravel’s ‘Bol?ro M.81.’

Meaningful activities with vulnerable groups will also be conducted simultaneously. Students benefiting from the instrument and lesson support program for low-income families run by Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry will be invited to the concert to provide diverse cultural experiences. Additionally, all proceeds related to the concert will be donated to Korea Food for the Hungry.

Furthermore, the Lotte Department Store Kids Orchestra will perform animation OSTs on the evening of the 31st at 6 PM at the Nodle Island Lawn Plaza to celebrate the ‘Nodle Island Animation Film Week.’ On the 12th of next month at 5 PM, they plan to hold a performance for citizens on the outdoor stage at the ‘Seoul Outdoor Library Book Reading Seoul Plaza.’

Yoon Jae-won, head of the ESG team at Lotte Department Store, stated, “We are providing not only simple sponsorship but also various educational and activity opportunities so that talented young musicians in our country can advance to the global stage. We hope they grow into even greater musicians by broadening their musical perspectives, learning how to harmonize and communicate with fellow performers, as well as improving their individual playing skills.”

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