Kang Han-moe of College of Music (Major of Composition), wins 1st place for composition at the 40th concours
Expressed the folk ritual 'salpuri' using western instruments such as flute, oboe, viola and double bass
[Mar 18, 2014]

 A student at the YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) College of Music took first place in Korea's top music concours.

 The winner was Kang Han-moe (22) who majors in composition. Mr. Kang took the highest honors in the composition sector at the 40th Joongang Music Concours that closed its curtains on the 12th.

  The Joongang Concours was first held in 1975 and this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is undisputedly Korea's top music concours in terms of both number of participants and talents of winners. Past winners include singers Jo Sumi, Kim Dong-gyu, pianist Kim Dae-jin and musical actress Kim So-hyeon.

 This concours was sponsored by KT&G and hosted by Joongang Ilbo and JTBC from January 3. A total of 443 contestants participated in six sectors such as piano, violin, cello, clarinet, vocal (men, women) and song composition. After two preliminaries and one main judging held in February and March, Kang took first place in song composition. There were a total of 18 winners in six sectors this year with six being from Seoul National University, five from the Korea National University of Arts, and one each from Yonsei University, Ewha Womens University, Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, Gachon University, Gyeongsang National University, and Seoul Arts High School.

 The assignment of composing was 'instrumental quartet including double bass'. Kang's work was an 11 minute chamber music titled 'Salpuri for flute, oboe, viola and double bass'.

 Kang's work was focused on the 'integration of traditional culture and music', and it received good reviews by expressing the folk ritual called 'salpuri' with the western instruments of flute, oboe, viola and double bass.

 Kang said that he did not even dream about winning first place during the first judging on the score and second judging on description of the work, and said, "I was able to win first place thanks to the performers who expressed my song well during the final judging on the performance."

 Kang, who says that preparing for various concours is a new challenge and fun, said, "I think that music is necessary wherever there are people," while adding, "I want to become a composer who makes music that can communicate with people, regardless of the musical genre."