On Monday, the Korean Students’ Glee Club will present their international pipes, individually selected by Maestro Hooncha Chai from collegiate crooners all around Seoul, South Korea. The glee club, founded in 1966, has toured internationally and will be hitting up California, Canada, Texas, Washington and Washington D.C. before peeling out of the North America. How did Tucson get so lucky?
To be sure, this is not the Eastern version of the FOX TV show — aside maybe from a few barbershop quartet numbers. And this concert will not cost you more than the lint in your pockets.
The free concert will be presented with our very own UA Symphonic Choir and promote a very timely and important cause.
The concert, “”Let There Be Peace,”” and initiative to put on the program grew from the violent tragedies the communities of Tucson and Korea have recently suffered.
“”It happens because of lack of love for each other, so we want to sing about the love,”” said UA choral graduate student Seungyong Shin.
Shin, a former student under Chai, was also privileged to fill the shoes of assistant conductor of the group for a period of time. “”(Chai) is one of the leading choral conductors in Korea, and he has directed the KSGC for 45 years,”” said Shin. “”That is an amazing record.””
Shin likens Chai to a Korean Robert Shaw.
“”He always says that the musician has to be pure and be true,”” Shin said. “”His soft and kind charisma could change many musicians’ lives in Korea.”” And it has; Chai taught many top musicians in Korea who are enjoying increasingly successful careers.
“”Let There Be Peace”” will feature American folk songs; pieces by Matthew Harris, Richard Kidd and Frank Ferko; English madrigals; and Jewish songs sung by the UA Symphonic choir. In a manner of balance, the KSGC will perform Korean folk songs, contemporary sacred works, spirituals and hymns.
And at the end of the program, the UA Symphonic Choir and KSGC will perform two pieces together — along with every member in the audience trying out their vocal talents.
“”They can join the singing with the choirs,”” Shin said. “”Music can unify people.”” And we could all use a little unifying right now.
