Gyeonggi-do Launches Disabled Orchestra on 3rd... Kim Dong-yeon: "Let's Create a World of Living Together"

The Gyeonggi-do Disabled Orchestra was officially founded as the ‘Gyeonggi Libera Orchestra’ on the 3rd after more than a year of preparation. Libera means ‘freedom, to free’ in Latin.

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi-do, said at the orchestra’s founding ceremony, "Looking back, it was like a miracle. Last November, the Provincial Council first proposed it, and immediately at that meeting, we decided to establish it, and now we have seen the fruition. The Provincial Council and the residents all united with one heart to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to find and showcase their talents without any discrimination." He expressed his expectations, saying, "I want to make Gyeonggi-do a place where culture blossoms, and create a world where people with and without disabilities live together in harmony."

Gyeonggi-do Disabled Orchestra was officially founded as the 'Gyeonggi Libera Orchestra' on the 3rd after more than a year of preparation. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

He added, "On the 1st, I had a conversation with artists with developmental disabilities in Yangpyeong, and one of the most impressive things was that they gain autonomy when painting." He continued, "I hope that the members of the disabled orchestra can also find their center within their hearts when practicing and performing, communicate with the world autonomously, and that we all support, encourage, and take interest in them so they can play a significant role in making Gyeonggi-do a livable world."

At the founding ceremony, the Gyeonggi Libera Orchestra performed four pieces: Farandole (Georges Bizet), Cs?rd?s (Vittorio Monti), Gabriel's Oboe (Ennio Morricone), and Radetzky March (Johann Strauss), moving the audience.

About 200 people attended the ceremony, including the promotional ambassador, left-handed pianist Lee Hoon, broadcaster Kim Kyung-ran, members of private disabled orchestras, and officials related to disability welfare. Notably, violinist Danny Gu, who has recently gained popularity among the public, participated as a soloist, adding significance to the founding.

The Gyeonggi Libera Orchestra, operated as the first talent development-type orchestra among local governments nationwide, has members who will be active for two years and receive monthly practice allowances covering rehearsal and transportation fees, as well as separate performance fees for concerts. To enhance their musical skills, they receive intensive instruction twice a week from professional instructors, and a concert is planned for the first half of next year.

Gyeonggi-do previously held an open recruitment for the first generation of members from September 10 to October 10. Out of 83 applicants, 40 were finally selected through practical instrument tests and interviews. The final selected members include 18 violinists, 4 violists, 5 cellists, 1 double bassist, 2 flutists, 2 oboists, 2 clarinetists, 2 horn players, 2 trumpeters, 1 tuba player, and 2 percussionists.

The inaugural conductor of the Gyeonggi-do Disabled Orchestra is Park Sung-ho, an adjunct professor at Sungshin Women’s University. Conductor Park is renowned for his expertise, having served as the founding conductor of the developmental disability orchestra ‘Heart Heart Orchestra’ for seven years from 2006 to 2013, leading it to become the top disabled orchestra in Korea.

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