Seodaemun-gu Junior Wind Orchestra Wins Gold at Korea Wind Music Competition

“Seodaemun-Style Educational Welfare Model”
Proven Success on the National Stage

The Seodaemun-gu Junior Wind Orchestra, founded by Seodaemun-gu (headed by Mayor Lee Seongheon) and currently operated under the management of the Gajaeul Youth Center, won the Gold Prize at the 49th Korea Wind Music Competition held at Sejong Gugakdang in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, from August 14 to 17.

Members of the Seodaemun-gu Junior Wind Orchestra participating in the 49th Korea Wind Music Competition. Provided by Seodaemun-gu.

Seodaemun-gu hailed this achievement, accomplished just two years after the orchestra’s founding, as a remarkable milestone and regarded it as a prime example of how the district’s cultural and artistic support policies can foster youth development.

The Korea Wind Music Competition is the largest and most prestigious competition of its kind in the country, where youth and general wind ensembles from across Korea compete to showcase their skills. In recent years, the rapid growth of youth wind music has led to high-level performances and fierce competition at the event.

At this year’s competition, the Seodaemun-gu Junior Wind Orchestra received high praise from the panel of judges for its outstanding ensemble performance, focus, and perfect coordination with the conductor. The orchestra was established in March 2023 with policy support from Seodaemun-gu and is led by Professor Lee Cheolwoong from the College of Music at Yonsei University, with over 60 elementary and middle school students participating as members.

The district provides a range of support, including free instrument rentals, guidance from professional instructors, and rehearsal spaces, offering musically talented and passionate youth the opportunity to gain professional ensemble and stage experience.

Such policies in Seodaemun-gu have established what is known as the “Seodaemun-style educational welfare model,” broadening access to music education and enabling young people to experience culture and the arts up close. Since its founding, the orchestra has performed on both domestic and international stages, including an invitation to the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival, and last year, concerts in Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, thus gaining valuable international experience.

Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, stated, “The passion and achievements demonstrated by the Seodaemun-gu Junior Wind Orchestra are proof of the potential of our youth. We will continue to actively support young people so they can realize their dreams and grow.”