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.”
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