A World Adventure with the Chippewa Valley Symphoney Orchestra

EAU CLAIRE- The Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra is starting off its 50th season by taking audiences on a trip around the world– all without leaving their seats. Next Saturday, the Orchestra will perform “Passport to Music”, a symphonic world tour showcasing musical traditions from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The 90 minute performance will include a traditional Korean three drum dance, the world premier of a African-inspired piece by a UW- Eau Claire student and a performance by the winner of the 2024 Young Artist Competition.

Impressions of CheonmachongOne stop on the travel itinerary is Gyeongju City, South Korea where an unknown Silla king is buried with his worldly possession and a sacrificed horse. In Impressions of Cheonmachong, the performers imagine what would happen should the king and his horse awake.

This unique piece is the first ever to combine traditional Korean Samgomu, or three drum dance, with a European style orchestra. Samgomu is a synchronized dancing and drumming performance in which each performer is surrounded by three framed drums.

Impressions of Cheonmachong was composed by the brother-sister duo Kyle Newmaster and Han G-In Brooke Newmaster.

Han G-In is the artistic director of Jangmi Arts, a Minneapolis-based studio that teaches traditional Korean drumming and dancing. As a Korean adoptee, she has spent much of her life reclaiming her Korean cultural heritage and sharing it with her family.

Han G-in composed the Samgomu portion of the piece, while her brother Kyle, a television and film composer who earned his bachelor’s degree in music at UW-Eau Claire, composed the orchestral part.

Han G-in described combining Samgomu with western-style orchestra as being very challenging, especially for the first two months. Since the two art forms had never previously been combined, there was no foundational material for the pair to base the piece off of.

However when speaking with a fellow artist, the pair was reminded of the unmarked tomb of a king of Silla, the ancient nation where Korea is now situated, in Gyeongju City. They created a story about entering the tomb, awakening the king and his horse, and releasing them into the modern world.

From there, the two created a shared artistic vision. The story of the king and his horse infused in the piece, gives Impressions of Cheonmachong a cinematic and powerful feel, Han G-In said.

Han G-In hopes this piece will be a “gateway to cross cultural exchange” that inspires people to learn more about Samgomu and see it in its traditional form.

African SuiteAnother movement in the concert comes just a short jaunt across the ocean for the world premier of African Suite.

Devondre Jaquish, a current UW-Eau Claire student, wrote this piece to “represent the rich and underrepresented mythos of African tribes.” African Suite combines aspects of African tribal music with classical Western music to create a unique sound.

The orchestra will play the first movement of the piece entitled “Impundulu (The Lightning Bird)”. In Zulu mythology, the Impundulu is a bird with powers to summon thunder and lightning. It is considered to be a vampiric creature that has an insatiable thirst for blood.

More DestinationsOther arrangements in the program will transport audiences across Europe and the Americas.

The concert will also feature a performance by Harold Fang, the winner of the 2024 Young Artist Competition. This annual competition invites students between the ages of 14-18 from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa to submit a recording of them performing for a chance to win a cash prize and play with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Fang, a 14-year old pianist from Maple Grove, Minnesota, will perform the first movement of Greig’s Piano Concerto.

In addition to the performance, be sure to check out the art display “Music Moves Me: Artwork Inspired by the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra” in the Brady and Jeanne Foust Gallery at the Pablo Center.

Art teachers in the area played recordings of the music from the show to their students, who used it as inspiration for their artwork. The display opens on Saturday and stays open through October 20.

The Chippewa Valley Orchestra will also host a shortened version of the concert at 10:30 a.m. for those looking for a less formal and sensory-friendly experience. This performance lasts around 45 minutes and tickets cost $5.

Tickets are free for third-graders in the area and an accompanying adult. Vouchers were handed out during music class and can be redeemed for either concert at the box office.