This year, the president of UMKC’s Composers Guild, Ian Chung, had the opportunity to showcase two of his works at the Del Mar International Composers Symposium (DMICS).
Chung showcased the works “Toy Soldier Blues” and “The Awakening”, the former being a more lighthearted piece and the latter being a deeper, more emotional composition.
“[‘Toy Soldier Blues’] is more of a fun, casual piece,” said Chung. “‘The Awakening’ is more lyrical, like a love poem.”
The thought of showcasing his pieces was not his initial motivator to participate in the symposium. Chung immigrated to the United States from Seoul, South Korea, and was drawn to the symposium by the presence of composer Texu Kim, another South Korean national.
“The main reason I went there is because one of the composition mentors was Texu Kim,” Chung said. “He incorporates Korean music with the Western classical music, and that’s something I also want to explore.”
For Chung, blending diverse musical traditions is an exciting challenge. His jazz background influences many of his compositions, including “Toy Soldier Blues,” which incorporates blues elements with violin and marimba.
“I feel that it shows Ian’s incredible flexibility as a composer, especially when experienced alongside Ian’s other works,” said Composers Guild Vice President Amber Schnake.
The Symposium provided a stage for Chung’s work and a valuable networking opportunity. At DMICS he met musicians and composers from around the world, including the composer who had initially inspired him to attend, Texu Kim.
Kim, former Composer-in-Residence of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, currently serves as an associate professor of music composition and theory at San Diego State University. He is responsible for the creation of over 80 original works and seven internationally recognized music awards.
Chung spoke highly of Kim’s work and the impact it had on him, especially Kim’s compositions written for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
“It was really impactful[…] especially the use of strings and percussion imitating Korean traditional instruments,” Chung said. “I learned so much from that piece.”
As a leader of UMKC’s Composers Guild, Chung said he is eager to take these experiences and apply them to future projects.
One such initiative is Nexus, a collaborative endeavor allowing UMKC composers to work with artists from outside the music department. The goal is to blend diverse art forms like sculpture and dance with musical composition.
Chung hopes his future will include more symposiums, composition opportunities and a career in academics where he can pass on his knowledge to the next generation.
For more information on Chung’s work, visit his website, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
