In celebration of the start of the 2024 fall semester, an orchestra concert conducted by Maestro Gum Nanse, and performed by the New World Chamber Orchestra, was held in CHANGeUP Ground’s Event Hall on Sept. 5. The concert setlist covered seven pieces, including Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.” 

The program was not a static, rigid concert you ordinarily think of when you hear the word ‘classical music concert’, but an atmosphere of jovial and heart-warming interactions between the audience and the performers. The audience started rather rigid, filled with the usual image of classical music concerts and keeping it to themselves. But as they became more comfortable with the classical music and Maestro Gum, the audience laughed, awed, and cheered with every piece. Maestro Gum did not only conduct the music but became a guide for those familiar with classics with his explanations tailored to their level. His explanation of each piece of music was presented with a lively interpretation of what image the melody is trying to express, accompanied by gestures of Maestro Gum himself and the demonstration by the members of the New World Chamber Orchestra. This friendly explanation broke the invisible wall between the stage and the audience, bringing them one step closer to enjoying classical music. With the help of guidance from Maestro Gum, the audience was now able to feel the shivering gusts of winter, the warmth of the fireplace inside a jolly household in the rain, and a person cautiously making his way on a slippery slope in Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’. Various guest performers such as violin and harmonica also added a new melodic variance to the pieces, keeping the audience at the tip of their chairs. 

Following the appointment of Maestro Gum as an endowed chair professor of POSTECH in March, there have been several orchestra concerts including the concert in celebration of the admission of freshmen and the inauguration of the president, conducted by Professor Gum on the campus grounds. “Starting this fall semester, we are planning on expanding these concerts with Maestro Gum to a monthly event,” said Myeongyong Choe of Student Affairs. The concerts are to be accompanied by Maestro Gum’s explanations, breaking the stereotype that classical music is monotonous and hard to understand. During the concert, Maestro Gum encouraged the audience to spread the word for everyone to enjoy and learn classical music. 

The remaining three concerts will be held as a New World Chamber Orchestra concert in October and an ensemble concert for the remaining months. Especially the concert held in October will be an outdoor concert, taking place at the Hill of Winds. This is part of the AutumnFest event, a place for understanding different cultures and socializing with foreign members of POSTECH. There will be explanations of classical music pieces in English as well as Korean, friendly to everyone who enjoys classical music.

The concerts are not only anticipated to become a gateway for Postechians to enjoy music and culture but also to promote opportunities to enjoy classical music concerts for the people of Pohang. For this reason, the concerts are open to the members of POSTECH as well as the citizens of Pohang. By holding these monthly concerts, the concerts are anticipated to become a landmark event in the city.