The Missouri State University Chorale was invited to represent North America at the 8th annual Jeju International Choir Festival and Symposium on Jeju Island, South Korea, Feb. 17-27.

The Chorale also performed in the Incheon Free Economic Zone International Choral Festival and the Pacem World Choir Festival.

During their stay, the Chorale sang in several of South Korea’s finest performing arts centers, alongside choirs from Estonia, Latvia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

“This trip was my first out of the country and I couldn’t be happier that it got to be with such an amazing, supportive group of people,” said Alandra Hutchens, a junior vocal music education major.

“People were weeping, with ear-to-ear smiles”

The Chorale enjoyed performing a wide variety of music—from American folk songs and spirituals to the music of Bob Dylan and Ruthie Foster—during their visit, according to Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies.

“The Chorale performed a choral arrangement of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are a-Changing,’ which was quite meaningful to the singers and the audiences,” LaBarr said.

“With every new emotion we were trying to convey, the crowds were right there with us,” said Chorale baritone Gabe Adams. “Not only were we, as a choir, incredibly excited to share our music with the audiences, the audiences were also excited to hear what we had to share.”

During their visit, the students enjoyed meeting and singing for Korean composers Hyo-Won Woo and Jihoon Park, as well as performing with traditional Korean drums played by Go Seokjin.

“Performing ‘Arirang’ with the Korean drums was the moment I truly understood how meaningful this song is, and it will be a profound memory of mine,” said sophomore vocal performance major Addison Collins. “The reaction of the audience solidified that for me, as people were weeping with ear-to-ear smiles—so touching and joyful.”

Eastman performs to receptive audiences

Erich Eastman, a graduate student in music composition, performed his song “It’ll be Alright” for audiences during the trip and described the experience as “unforgettable.”

“Even though the piece is an unconventional blend of contemporary bluegrass, singer-songwriter and choral elements, the Korean audiences embraced it with warmth and appreciation, making each performance feel really special,” he said. “I felt as though our connection as an ensemble strengthened with every rendition, which allowed us to convey the piece’s message of hope and elation with even greater resonance each time.”

Breathtaking views and delicious food

The Chorale spent three days on Jeju island before traveling through mainland South Korea and its cities, visiting Seoul, Pyeongtaek-Si and Incheon.

Some of the places they visited included Dongmun Market and Black Pork Street and Gyeongbokgung Palace. They also enjoyed a shopping trip on Insadong Street.

Students were often given the chance to explore these areas in the morning before rehearsals and concerts in the evening.

A favorite non-musical activity of many was hiking Geomdansan Mountain.

“[The hike] was the toughest hike I’ve been on, but it was so fun, exhilarating, and the view was breathtaking!” said Collins.

“It was challenging, slippery and scary at times, but I made some of my favorite memories of the trip while struggling on that mountain,” Adams added.

Chorale soprano Margaret Jordahl agreed. “It was very challenging for me, but I feel like I can do anything if I’m surrounded by people who make me laugh!” she said.

LaBarr suggested the best experience might have been Korea’s food culture.

“Perhaps our favorite non-musical activity was the new culinary experiences every day,” he said. “We loved the Korean food!”

But for Theron LePage, a junior vocal music education major, the experience was still all about the music.

“I most enjoyed performing some of South Korea’s famous music for the Korean people,” LePage said. “They were so receptive, and seeing that they loved our performances of their own music was something I will truly never forget.”

Shared love of music “heart” of trip

By performing and engaging with singers from Estonia, Latvia, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Chorale enjoyed multiple opportunities to fulfill MSU’s public affairs mission.

“Traveling and touring in this capacity addresses all our pillars of the public affairs mission: cultural competence, ethical leadership, and community engagement,” LaBarr said. “Through these encounters, students grow in cultural empathy and have greater understanding of people who they would otherwise not know.”

Jordahl recalled a favorite moment on the bus with the choir from Estonia.

“[They] serenaded us with a few songs we heard earlier in the night at the concert, but with an almost informal joy that was infectious. They would inform us, ‘It’s our Independence Day! So we are just happy.’”

“It was an honor to share that joy with them through music, even for just a short time,” Jordahl added.

“You hear so often that music is a universal language that it starts to feel contrived,” said Tanner Munson, a graduate student in vocal pedagogy. “But hearing it and experiencing it are two vastly different things. Traveling to South Korea to share the choral traditions of North America was beyond a privilege—however, getting to sing, eat and travel with people from all over the world who are linked through a shared love of music was the heart of our trip for me.”

“A big part of our mission is to build an atmosphere of unity and belonging through performances and personal interactions,” LaBarr said. “I feel like we certainly achieved this over the course of this important tour.”

“I was so thrilled for our students to be able to hear and experience choirs from all over the world,” LaBarr added. “This was such an incredible opportunity for our choir and its singers, and we are truly grateful to all those who helped make it possible.”

Explore opportunities in music

Photos by Brian Gaukel.

Special thanks to Timothy Pallett for his contributions to this story.