Young defectors from North Korean are now youth orchestra members in South Korea.
On Thursday, the Korean Red Cross launched the "Hope Windmill Orchestra," consisting of 76 defectors between the ages of 11 and 21. Nan-sae Keum, the renowned Korean conductor, will be the orchestra's conductor.
"Before I got this opportunity, I always envied one of my classmates for getting violin lessons," Jihun Lee, who defected to Korea in 2009, told Korea Joongang Daily.
"I think I'll really enjoy learning the violin because of its bright sound," the 12-year-old girl added.
A 20-year-old woman, with pseudonym of Miyeon Kim, said, "I liked listening to Korean ballads and foreign pop songs." At age 10, she lost her father and fled to China to survive. After coming to South Korean in April 2011, Kim is now part of the Hope Windmill Orchestra.
"Music touches everyone's heart," said director Keum.
He said he truly hopes "it will cure some of the children's damaged feelings and provide them hope for their futures in this country."
The orchestra was sponsored by SeAH Steel Corporation with $87,000 worth of instruments.
With Keum's direction, musicians from the Eurasian Philharmonic Orchestra, Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Korea United College Orchestra will serve the orchestra as mentors.
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
