Lotte Department Store Recruiting New Members for Kids Orchestra

Online Applications Open Until September 29
For Students from 2nd Grade in Elementary to 2nd Grade in Middle School
Double-Digit Recruitment Across Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion

Lotte Department Store announced on August 21 that it will be recruiting new members for the "Lotte Kids Orchestra 2025" for aspiring young classical musicians until September 29.

Members of the 2nd Lotte Kids Orchestra are performing at the Lotte Concert Hall. Provided by Lotte Department Store

The recruitment is open to students from 2nd grade in elementary school to 2nd grade in middle school (born between 2011 and 2017), and a total of double-digit members will be selected. The orchestra will be composed of a total of 13 sections: strings (violin, viola, cello, bass), woodwinds (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet), brass (horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba), and percussion.

Final candidates will be selected through a two-stage screening process. The first round will be conducted online; applicants must submit a performance video and application form via the Lotte Culture Center website by 5 p.m. on September 29 to complete their application. The second round will be held in person at the Culture Hall of Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo branch from October 18 to 19. Successful candidates, determined by a panel of expert judges, will be announced at the end of October and will begin their orchestra activities with an inaugural ceremony on November 1.

The orchestra will be led by Music Director Lee Minhyeong, who won the Ernest Read "Young Conductor Award" in London, and will be advised by Lee Sungjoo, an honorary professor at Korea National University of Arts and first prize winner of the New York Wieniawski Competition. The Kids Orchestra members are scheduled to perform a New Year's concert at Lotte Concert Hall in January next year.

This year, a special lecture for parents will also be offered. Reflecting feedback from previous parents, a new course on specialized educational methods to support nurturing musical talents has been established. There will also be a networking opportunity for parents to discuss and share perspectives on the direction of music education.

Park Sangwoo, Head of Business Strategy at Lotte Department Store, stated, "The Lotte Kids Orchestra aims to foster the essential growth of its members through the inspiration that art provides," adding, "We will continue to actively support cultural and artistic programs that enrich the lives of our customers."