Busan National University, Dreamnarae Choir Inaugural Concert "Happy Journey" Held

Founded in January this Year, Building Skills with Weekly Practice

First Performance on the 14th with an Audience of Around 200

Busan National University Future Citizen Education Center (Director Lee Ki-young) held the inaugural concert of the ‘Kumnarae Choir,’ which consists of people with developmental disabilities and Busan National University members, titled ‘Happy Companionship’ on the 14th at the 10.16 Memorial Hall on campus.

Founded in January this year, the ‘Kumnarae Choir’ is a choir of 30 members including current students and graduates of ‘PNU Kumnarae University,’ a non-degree cultural arts program for people with developmental disabilities operated by the Busan National University Future Citizen Education Center, as well as their parents and Busan National University members.

Busan National University, Dreamnarae Choir Inaugural Concert "Happy Journey" Held

Busan National University Kkumnarae Choir Inaugural Concert Venue. Photo by Busan National University

The Kumnarae Choir allows anyone to express their musical talents without discrimination, and people with and without disabilities communicate and sing together. It delivers the message of ‘Together, not different,’ breaking down the boundaries between disability and non-disability, beyond a simple musical performance.

The inaugural concert, the choir’s official first activity, was held in five parts: Happy Companionship, Love and Gratitude, Life and Struggle, and Soaring, engaging with an audience of about 200 people.

The performance began energetically with “Wonderful, Wonderful” (Johnny Mathis song), followed by a diverse program including the musical Les Mis?rables OST, “Even If Life Deceives You,” “Thank You,” “Beautiful Country,” “Permission to Dance,” and songs sung together by the audience and performers. A special percussion performance and collaboration by percussionist Jo Young-jin also received great applause.

The Kumnarae Choir’s achievement of their current performance level within one year of its founding is the result of the members gathering every Saturday at the Future Citizen Education Center to create beautiful harmony.

Kumnarae Choir Director Kang Young-sim (Professor of Special Education) said, “Through the choir, each member confirmed that they are a precious and unique existence in the world and felt a deep sense of connection. We will become a choir that contributes to creating a beautiful world where diverse social members come together with love and empathy, transcending the boundaries between disability and non-disability.”