National Symphony Launches Youth Orchestra, Recruiting Members Until June 8

Kim Yuwon Appointed as Inaugural Music Director

The National Symphony Orchestra announced on May 26 that it has established the National Symphony Concert Orchestra (KNCO), an ensemble composed of young musicians, and will be recruiting members from May 27 to June 8.

KNCO is a Korean-style youth-focused orchestra, modeled after the Civic Orchestra under the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the United States and the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Japan.

Just as the Civic Orchestra and the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra have broadened the base of classical music in their communities through young musicians, KNCO also aims to serve as an artistic platform that revitalizes the local cultural ecosystem.

Conductor Kim Yuwon, the inaugural music director of the National Symphony Concert Orchestra (KNCO)
Photo by National Symphony Orchestra

The inaugural music director of KNCO will be conductor Kim Yuwon, who was selected by the League of American Orchestras in 2022 as a “next-generation conductor to lead the American music scene.” Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the renowned music director of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, has praised Kim Yuwon as “a conductor who has the power to immerse the orchestra members in music.” Kim Yuwon was recognized as an outstanding conductor in the National Symphony’s conductor development program “Next Stage” in 2019, and is regarded as a promising figure continuing the legacy of Korean women conductors.

Music director Kim Yuwon stated, “We plan to expand the boundaries of classical music with the fresh perspective of young artists,” adding, “Based on a high level of musical excellence, we will present flexible and experimental performances.”

The National Symphony will recruit KNCO members from among young musicians aged 19 to 39. A total of 50 musicians will be selected from 13 instrument groups, including strings, winds, percussion, and concertmasters. Eligible applicants must be Korean nationals born on or after May 28, 1985 (as of the announcement date) and must have graduated from a related university program. Students on leave of absence and those who have postponed graduation are not eligible, except for those enrolled in a master’s program or higher, who are granted an exception.

Applications will be accepted through the National Symphony Orchestra website until June 8. The results of the first round will be announced on June 17, and the second practical audition will take place on June 24 and 25. The final successful candidates will be notified individually and announced on the website on June 27.

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