Over 4 Years, Trained Over 1,200 Students... 113 Entered Art Schools, 187 Won Competitions
Systematic Support Including 8 Months of Practical Training, Lessons, and Arts Integration Education Entrusted to Konkuk University and Sookmyung Women's University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundations
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 23rd that it will select 150 students this year to participate in the "Music Gifted Education Support Project." This project provides high-quality professional music education to economically disadvantaged elementary, middle, and high school students who have talent or potential.
Seoul was the first local government to start this project in 2008 and has continuously supported it for 14 years. So far, it has produced over 1,200 trainees. Among them, 113 students have entered arts schools (including elementary, middle, high schools, and universities). Additionally, 187 students have distinguished themselves by winning awards in domestic competitions.
The project is commissioned and operated by the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Konkuk University and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Sookmyung Women’s University (located in Yongsan-gu). Selected students receive systematic support for various classes such as practical training, lessons, and arts convergence education for eight months. The goal is to ensure that economic difficulties do not hinder talent development and to nurture cultural and artistic global leaders.
The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Konkuk University mainly supports students from 3rd grade elementary to 1st grade high school who have chosen a major in their talented field. This year, about 100 students were selected. Starting with the regular program in the fourth week of April, various classes will be intensively conducted for eight months. Approximately 100 students from households below the median income, ranging from 3rd grade elementary to 1st grade high school, were selected through document screening, musical aptitude tests, practical evaluations, and in-depth interviews.
Depending on their level, students receive ?27 sessions of major practical training ?arts convergence education (general gifted) to develop expressiveness through dance, etc. ?a creativity program (future gifted) involving comprehensive musical activities such as instrument performance ?the core of music gifted education, the ‘Masterclass,’ where they receive lessons from active musicians ?and gifted concerts.
Seoul plans to hold the "2021 Seoul Music Gifted Education Support Project" entrance ceremony online at 11 a.m. on the 24th. At the entrance ceremony, the faculty and curriculum will be introduced, and there will be time for communication with students and parents through orientation. A congratulatory performance by outstanding graduates who completed the curriculum will also be held to encourage the newly selected juniors this year.
The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Sookmyung Women’s University has participated in the project since last year to discover future gifted students in a balanced manner by region. It focuses on education for students from 1st to 6th grade elementary who have not yet decided on a major field, supporting them to concretize their most talented area. This year, 50 students have been selected. The entrance ceremony has already been held, and classes will be conducted for eight months starting from the 24th. Classes include ?music creativity classes ?basic Korean traditional rhythm practical classes ?1:1 instrumental practical training ?arts convergence education ?and choir.
Meanwhile, Seoul started the music gifted support project in 2008 and began supporting low-income gifted art students in 2011, producing over 660 trainees to date.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, “It is touching to see that the music gifted education project, which I started in 2008 as mayor to give hope to students who love music, has now reached its 14th year. I hope that students who work hard with dreams and passion despite difficult circumstances will improve their musical skills through Seoul’s support and grow into future talents of Seoul with good character.”
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