On January 27, 2023 I had the opportunity to attend the Korean Art Song Festival with Yeon-Kyung Kim which was hosted by the Hurley School of Music’s Voice Department. It was an exceptional display of diversity and cultural richness that was a delight to both those performing and audience members. 

Kim herself was born and raised in South Korea before moving to the United States for her master’s studies She is an exceptional pianist that currently works as a full-time accompanist at Western Illinois University. She spent a week on Centenary’s campus meeting with the voice students to discuss Korean Diction and the history of Korean Art Songs. Kim hosted a lecture on Korean diction earlier in the week that I was also able to attend, and while I did not understand several aspects because my primary focus is instrumental music, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and learning what I could. Her knowledge and charisma resonate within her, and I truly think this experience as a whole has been incredibly enriching to the Hurley School of Music. Kim noted during the performance that this program was not only meaningful to her because it celebrates the artists of South Korea, but it also comes right in time for the Lunar New Year. She was able to celebrate the Lunar New Year with such an intentional celebration of South Korean music, which I can only imagine would be incredibly powerful. 

The Friday night performance set up high expectations for the rest of the performances this semester. The vocalists involved in the concert were excellently prepared and executed each piece with talent and ease. There were also a few solo piano pieces performed by Kim, which were especially breathtaking. She performed each song with immense grace and intensity. I cannot express with words how moving her performance was. She not only accompanied all the vocalists, but she performed a few solo pieces and accompanied a few instrumental pieces. Kim explained during the concert that many Korean Art Song composers started by writing violin or other kinds of instrumental music and later accompanied them with words. This was not only a treat as an instrumentalist, but it also provided a new context on the Art Songs being performed that evening. 

As I have stated before, this performance and experience with Kim was nothing less than a treat. Much of the music and their sounds were foreign to my ears at first, but this only meant that I had to pay closer attention to the artistry and details of each piece. As I put myself in the moment of each piece, it reminded me that music truly is a universal language. I did not understand a single word sung in any of the art songs performed, but I felt them. I felt the joy or anguish in each piece. I knew what the composer was feeling when they wrote it, and I am truly grateful for the reminder that no matter whether or not you may understand someone, you can always recognize their shared human experience.

Centenary often says that they care deeply about diversity and inclusion, and this is an example of where their words and actions align. This year especially, the Hurley School of Music has provided several opportunities for students to be exposed to styles and perspectives that our textbooks might leave out. This is vital to our success as young professionals entering an increasingly competitive field. I thank Yeon-Kyung Kim for taking the time to come to Centenary and provide us with a new cultural and musical perspective and Dr. Sridhar and Dr. Wikan for providing this opportunity. I thoroughly look forward to the other events put on by the Voice Faculty this year. 

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