Judson to host 11th annual Korean Music Scholarship Fundraising Concert April 8
Judson University's 11th annual fundraising concert for the Korean Scholarship Fund will feature four Korean pianists and a baritone to round out this musical event.
Organized annually by Dr. Sojung Lee Hong, the fundraising event will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 8, in the Galvin Recital Hall at Northwestern University, 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston.
Funds raised enable talented international students to study at Judson University through the Music Performance Certificate Program, which is directed by Dr. Hong.
The pianists will be: Mijung Im, Sung-Mi Im, Eunchan Kim and Sojung Lee Hong. Baritone Ghibong Kim will perform Korean art songs.
The program will feature: Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Liebesfreud" ("Love's Joy"); Brahms' Hungarian Dances, No. 1 & 5; Chopin's "Fantasie-Impromptu in C minor; Korean art songs "Spring Maiden," "Swing," "Secret Place," and "Come!"; Misook Kim's "Ganggangsullae" (Korean Circle Dance); "Spring" from Astor Piazzolla's "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires"; Piazzolla's "Liebertango"; "Danse Russe" ("Russian Dance") from Igor Stravinsky's "Three Movements from Petrushka"; Rachmaninoff's "Tarantella" from Suite No. 2, Op. 17; and Gioachino Rossini's "William Tell Overture."
Judson and The Korean Times of Chicago are co-hosts of this event.
Tickets for Judson faculty and staff are $10; free for Judson students. Tickets for the public are $50, $30 or $20. Tickets are available by emailing kmsconcert@gmail.com or calling (630) 730-6370.
Learn more about the concert at www.chicagobulletin.com.
Ghibong Kim, born in Daegu, Korea, received his bachelor's degree in voice performance at Seoul National University. He later studied at the Conservatorio di Musica Arrigo Boito in Parma, Italy, graduating with the highest academic honors. Since moving to the U.S., Kim has been an active performer, not only in operas, but also as an oratorio soloist. Mendelssohn's "Oratorio Elijah" is his signature oratorio role. In 2006, Kim made his Chicago debut as Conte in "Le Nozze di Figaro" at Chicago Chamber Opera with the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. Other roles include Germont in "La Traviata" with the Elgin Opera and Morales in "Carmen" at the DuPage Opera Theater.
Korean-born pianist Sojung Lee Hong has appeared as a soloist, collaborative pianist, teacher, and church musician since her appointment to the music faculty of Judson University. For the Chicago community, she has helped to organize benefit concerts for the Sejong Cultural Society, the Global Children Foundation, and Food for the Hungry International. Hong holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Seoul National University, South Korea (magna cum laude), and a doctoral degree in piano performance and literature from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has regularly appeared as a concerto performer with Valley Civic Orchestra, North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and Judson Orchestra. She was honored as the recipient of the Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts at the 2017 YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon. In 2017, she was also recognized by Judson University for her contributions to the music department over the years.
Mi-jung Im is one of the most prominent pianists from Korea. Her top awards include the first prize at the 1997 San Antonio International Piano Competition in the U.S. and the first prize at Dong-A Piano Competition in Korea. Since her debut recital in Seoul and New York City, she has appeared over 300 concert stages internationally as a soloist and a chamber musician. Her engagements in 2005 include a tour in China, and "One Nation" tour in both North and South Korea, making her the first pianist to make such recital appearance in both North and South since the Korean War. Currently she serves as the professor in music department at Hansei University in Korea. Im received her BA in music performance from Seoul National University, master's from the Juilliard School, and doctorate from State University of New York at Stony Brook.
A native of Korea, Sung-Mi Im began her piano studies with her mother at the age of 3. After making a successful debut with Daegu Symphony Orchestra at age 8, she pursued undergraduate studies at Seoul National University, and her master's degree in performance under the Dean's Scholarship at Boston University. She has won numerous competitions, appeared in many international festivals and given solo and chamber recitals in cities around the world. She is currently on the faculty in the department of Chamber and Collaborative Music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Chan Kim, born in Daegu, South Korea, started playing piano at age 4. After receiving his bachelor of music at Seoul National University, he received his Master of Music at New England Conservatory, and earned his artist diploma at Yale School of Music. He has appeared at major concert venues in South Korea, China and the U.S. and had master classes with prominent musicians around the world.