NOTICE

By Choi Young-ji (jadore@kookje.co.kr) | Published: October 18, 2021, Page 20, Kookje Shinmun

• To be held from October 21 to 24 at Geumjeong Cultural Center and other venues

• “International teams’ performances will be livestreamed on YouTube”

• “Invited concerts can be enjoyed offline in person”

“Choral music is like expressing the sound of an orchestra with human voices. Since it allows you to enjoy the diverse beauty of the human voice, I hope more people take an interest and listen.”

Do Yong-bok, the chairperson of the Busan Choral Festival & Competition (BCFC), shared his hopes on the 18th that more people would experience the joy that music brings, emphasizing how easy it is to become immersed once one experiences the charm of choral music.

He himself studied vocal music and has held solo recitals, demonstrating his genuine passion for choral music. Chairperson Do said, “The more I listen, the more I think: is there an instrument more amazing than the human voice? Whether someone is a classical music lover or not, choral music moves people deeply. It feels more direct than instrumental music, which is why people come to love it quickly.”

The 2021 Busan Choral Festival & Competition will be held from October 21 to 24 at the Geumjeong Cultural Center in Geumjeong-gu and the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, with both online and offline participation. Due to COVID-19, overseas choirs could not enter Korea, so their pre-recorded performances will be streamed live on YouTube on the 21st. Invited performances can be enjoyed in person at the venues.

Chairperson Do explained, “You can enjoy the excellent performances of choirs from around the world online, wherever you are most comfortable. Meanwhile, the invited performances deliver the emotional impact of live music and help people fall in love with choral music even more.” He added, “The competition is divided into three sections: youth, accompanied, and a cappella. Although we can't meet in person, the ability to connect with participants from many countries online is incredible in itself.” The results of the online competition will be announced at the awards ceremony on the 23rd.

At 7:30 p.m. on October 21 at the Busan Cinema Center’s Haneul Theater, and again at 7:30 p.m. on October 22 at the Geumjeong Cultural Center’s Geumbitnuri Hall, Korea’s first show choir group, Harmonize, will perform. Beginning with a song from the film The Greatest Showman, their concert will feature choral renditions of “Magic Castle” by The Classic, “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, and “Dynamite” by BTS, before concluding with the iconic Lion King anthem “Circle of Life.”

On October 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Geumbitnuri Hall, EDEL REINKLANG—famous for their victory in round 6 of the TV show Phantom Singer—will showcase the beauty of choral music through popular songs such as “I Wish Things Could Be That Way Now” and “You're Just Slightly Above Me.”

Chairperson Do expressed his hopes that this year’s BCFC will provide opportunities for audiences to enjoy outstanding performances from groups like Harmonize and EDEL REINKLANG while also broadening appreciation for the choral genre. “Art can only truly flourish when supported and trusted by others,” he said, extending heartfelt thanks to those who have helped make the festival possible.