Yangcheon-gu Nurtures Traditional Cultural Arts Group 'Yangcheon Chwita Band'

Training 30 Residents as Professional Musicians for Pungmul Band by November
Scheduled to Participate in Local Festivals, Public Events, and Traditional Culture Programs

Yangcheon-gu Traditional Military Band Training Class Scene. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.

Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced on the 7th that it will operate the "Yangcheon Chwita Band," a specialized traditional cultural arts education program consisting of 30 residents, to inherit and preserve our unique traditional culture and to promote the development and expansion of local culture.

The Chwita Band is a performing arts group that plays wind and percussion instruments at the forefront during major national events. Dressed in golden attire, they play instruments such as the naval, nagak, taepyeongso, janggu, and kkwaenggwari, playing a role in uplifting the atmosphere. The district prepared this project to provide residents with opportunities to experience traditional culture education, which is difficult to encounter in daily life, and to foster the Chwita Band as the district’s representative musical ensemble.

Before the official launch, the district selected resident members through a public recruitment centered on the Yangcheon Cultural Center and plans to operate a regular education course consisting of 20 sessions until November this year to train a professional performing group.

The curriculum includes ▲composition of the Chwita Band ▲instrument holding methods and basic formations ▲sound training ▲conducting and formation training ▲maintaining formations and parade training ▲outdoor performances. Daegum player Ha Dong-min, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Property No. 45 Daegum Sanjo and a standing member of the Central Gugak Orchestra, will serve as the instructor. The education is completely free, and costumes, instruments, and teaching materials will be provided.

Members who complete the training will actively participate as the "Yangcheon Chwita Band" in future local festivals, public events, and traditional cultural programs. They also plan to improve their skills and participate in various gugak competitions.

District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said, “Traditional culture is our root and an important asset connecting the future. I hope the ‘Yangcheon Chwita Band’ will establish itself as a representative cultural ambassador that enhances our community pride and widely promotes the beauty of traditional arts.”