Young musicians from Hwacheon, South Korea, performed the "Arirang Fantasy" alongside their peers from Germany. The musical experience gained through regular practice and performances in their local community culminated in a cross-border collaboration.
According to Hwacheon County, the Hwacheon Youth Symphony Orchestra visited Ravensburg in Baden-Württemberg and Munich in Bavaria from October 15 to 22 for music exchanges and cultural experiences.
A key event was a joint concert held on October 17 at the Evangelische Stadtkirche in Ravensburg. The Hwacheon musicians, having rehearsed together beforehand, performed the "Arirang Fantasy" and Beethoven's works with the youth from the Ravensburg Music School. Local residents reportedly filled the concert hall, offering enthusiastic applause.
According to the concert program released by the German music school, the joint performance featured "Arirang Fantasy" composed by Choi Sung-hwan and the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The youth from both sides showcased their individual performances before coming together for the final piece.
This exchange was notable not only for introducing Korean youth music to local audiences but also for the collaborative effort of students from both countries to practice and complete a single piece. By performing both the Korean melody of "Arirang" and European classical music side by side, they created an opportunity to engage with each other's musical traditions.
Harald Hefner, principal of the Ravensburg Music School, shared his thoughts on the concert, emphasizing this collaborative process. He described "Arirang" as a piece that conveys themes of love, farewell, and longing, noting that from the first rehearsal, the youth from both countries connected through music to create a wonderful performance.
The foundation for this German stage performance lies in the ongoing music education in the region. According to the official introduction of the Hwacheon Youth Training Center, the orchestra was established in 2009 to provide cultural and artistic experiences for local youth and to share music with the community. It operates year-round for students from second grade to high school seniors, holding regular rehearsals every Saturday.
Domestic activities include regular concerts, outreach performances, participation in local events, and youth symphony festivals. Programs also encompass the Hwacheon Youth Joint Concert "Harmony of a Midsummer Night" and music camps, expanding the experience gained locally to international exchanges.
The German music school highlighted the Hwacheon Youth Symphony Orchestra's youth music festival and international exchange activities in its concert introduction. It emphasized the significance of joint rehearsals and the sharing of musical experiences and cultures. The preparation process itself was presented as an important aspect of the exchange, not just the concert outcome.
After the joint concert, the members traveled to Bavaria to experience European history and culture before returning home.
Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon remarked, "This experience will serve as a great motivation for the youth of Hwacheon," adding that efforts to expand opportunities for youth to travel abroad will continue. The county is also preparing overseas language training for all second-year middle school students and backpacking study trips for all first-year high school students starting next year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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