Lauren Kim and Colin Song Perform at Chicago Duo Piano Festival July 10
Music Institute of Chicago duo pianists Lauren Kim and Colin Song cap off a busy year of concerts across the country with a performance at home as part the Chicago Duo Piano Festival's 30th Anniversary celebration. Known as Duo Appassionato, the young musicians, coached by Music Institute faculty Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem, won the 2017 Chicago National Youth Competition for Piano Duos last summer. In February, the duo was selected to appear on an episode of From the Top, the hit NPR radio program featuring America's best young classical musicians, taped live at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. In March, they competed at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference in Orlando, Florida as the East Central Division winners of the MTNA Competition. Lauren, 17, will be a senior at Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago this fall and studies with Music Institute Piano Department Chair Elaine Felder. Colin, 15, lives in Glenview and will be a junior at Glenbrook South High School this fall; he studies piano with Ralph Neiweem at the Music Institute.
Lauren and Colin will perform Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide Tuesday, July 10 at Nichols Concert Hall as part of the Chicago Duo Piano Festival's 30th anniversary summer festival. Here they share some thoughts about playing together and their strong commitment to community service.
What do you enjoy about being part of a duo? How is it different from playing as a soloist?
Lauren: Music is my understanding counselor, and my piano is my best friend. It treasures both my happiest and darkest secrets, while pumping my blood and empowering my tears. It is like my second identity, my second soul that resonates with my heartbeat, relishes in my happiness, and mourns with my heartaches. Participating in duo piano gives me an outlet to share the power of music with another passionate heart-someone who I can call a friend inside and out. It is a totally different experience from playing as a soloist because you get to revel in the beauty of music with someone else. Sharing the spotlight on stage is one of the most rewarding feelings that a musician can experience.
Colin: First, I find duo a wonderful supplement to my solo career, and likewise, my solo career complements my duo experiences as well. Playing in a duo really trains my ear to be very detailed and has expanded my imagination when playing certain pieces. Of course, playing music with another person is always a fun break from the intensity of solo practice!
We know using your talents through community service is important to both of you. Tell us about some of your recent community service projects.
Colin: Most predominantly, I serve weekly in my home church with younger kids. I also play in the worship band, which is a way for me to use my musical gifts. As a duo, Lauren and I have been able to perform for many outreach events, and these performances are some of the most rewarding for us, as we know that our music has the power to make a difference!
Lauren: As a duo, we recently hosted a benefit concert for the neurology department of Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, raising nearly $1,000. We also perform at Presbyterian church homes annually, where we spend an evening sharing our music with elderly people. As a solo musician, I have also been participating in music therapy for dementia patients as well as performing at churches, Korean cultural centers, and hospitals. To me, providing service through music is one of the most important aspects of being a performer; music is like science, in that it means much more when shared with an audience.
What are you playing for the "Basically Bernstein" concert during the Chicago Duo Piano Festival? What are the pleasures and challenges of playing work by this popular composer?
Lauren: We're playing Leonard Bernstein's arrangement of the popular Overture to Candide. This piece is one of my personal favorites to share with a crowd because it is filled with energy and personality. It is easy to tie the notes to a backstory, which makes it super fun and exciting to perform. A particular challenge that we have encountered with this piece, however, is that it is really exposed and demands maximal precision, both in technique and ensemble. At the same time, however, it is important that we don't get so caught up in the technicalities that we end up neglecting the spirit of the piece.
Colin: I love this piece because it is contemporary and very popular. Originally written for orchestra, the piano duet arrangement presents a challenge, as we have to imitate many orchestral instruments on a keyboard. However, this challenge helps me put more creativity into the music.
What is coming up next for you?
Colin: In terms of music, the future is going to hold many future competitions and performance opportunities, all of which I will need to work hard to prepare for. Outside of music, I will be a junior next year, so evidently, this is a big academic year for me. I will be focusing on trying to create a more pronounced vision for my ideas of what I want to do in college and beyond.
Lauren: I'm really excited for this year's Duo Piano fest, as well as for my senior year in high school. I am ready to take on the challenges and benefits of being a senior and am happy to say that I will be partaking in music for the sole purpose of providing service and enjoyment.
The 30th anniversary Chicago Duo Piano Festival features six concerts, including the "Basically Bernstein" concert July 10 featuring Lauren Kim and Colin Song, July 8-20 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Single concert tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students; a 3-PASS is $60 for adults, $40 for seniors, and $20 for students. Call 847-905-1500, ext. 108 or visit chicagoduopianofestival.org.