Ansan City Choir to present joint concert with St. Olaf Choir
The Ansan City Choir, conducted by Shin-Hwa Park, will perform alongside the St. Olaf Choir during a joint concert at Boe Memorial Chapel on Sunday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.
The concert is free and open to the public, and will be streamed and archived online.
Founded in 1995, the Ansan City Choir is a professional choir that represents the city of Ansan, South Korea. The choir, frequently called upon to represent South Korea on international stages, is famous for its unique chamber repertoire and various styles.
The St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Anton Armstrong ’78, just completed its successful 2019 tour through the Southeast United States. Founded 107 years ago , the St. Olaf Choir is internationally recognized as a creative force behind America’s a cappella choral tradition.
The professional relationship between Park and Armstrong began in 2011 when they both served on the Artistic Committee for the 2014 World Symposium of Choral Music that was held in Seoul, South Korea. Armstrong served as Co-Chair of the Artistic Committee, and several trips to South Korea prior to the actual symposium and event forged a mutual respect and admiration between the two conductors.
“The Ansan City Choir is recognized as the premier professional choral ensemble in South Korea,” Armstrong says. “I have had the distinct privilege of guest conducting this world class choir three times in the last five years. Each time I have the joy of hearing the Ansan City Choir, I am reminded of their beautiful vocal tone, impressive virtuosity, and expressive musicality which touches the heads and hearts of all who hear them. I am absolutely delighted that we can host this superb choral ensemble at St. Olaf College!”
St. Olaf Choir Conductor Anton Armstrong ’78
Each time I have the joy of hearing the Ansan City Choir, I am reminded of their beautiful vocal tone, impressive virtuosity, and expressive musicality which touches the heads and hearts of all who hear them. I am absolutely delighted that we can host this superb choral ensemble at St. Olaf College!
In August 2002 the Ansan City Choir was selected by the International Federation for Choral Music as one of the 22 best choral groups worldwide, and performed at the prestigious Sixth World Choral Symposium in Minneapolis.
The Ansan City Choir was one of the three leading professional choirs Armstrong was invited to guest conduct during the 2014 WSCM. Subsequently, Armstrong has returned twice to guest conduct the Ansan City Choir, most recently in February 2018 as part of the 2018 Jeju Island International Choir Festival and Symposium. In June 2017, the Ewa University Chamber Choir, conducted by Park, shared the stage with the St. Olaf Choir at Lotte Concert Hall during the St. Olaf Choir’s final concert of their tour to Japan and South Korea.
Recently, the Ansan City Choir was awarded by Seoul Art Center with the grand prize in the voice and choral division. The choir will also be performing at the 2019 ACDA National Conference, which will take place from February 27–March 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.