Sejong Soloists creates a music town in the metaverse, plans to stream live classical music performances

SEOUL, South Korea (August 18, 2021) — The internationally acclaimed chamber orchestra Sejong Soloists is blasting off to the metaverse with a series of classical events. Partnering with Common Computer, a South Korean blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) company, the group developed its own music town on Gather, a popular virtual meeting place, which may be the first classical artists’ space in the metaverse. The town will also host live performances. While some pop artists have performed live in the metaverse, a live classical performance in the metaverse is thought to be a novel initiative. 

The performances are part of the orchestra’s fourth Hic et Nunc (Here and Now) music festival, running August 22 to September 13 in South Korea. 

“Being a global leader in information and communication technology, South Korea has provided the fertile ground for our metaverse idea to materialize,” said Sejong Soloists Executive Director Kyung Kang. “We have been seeking ways to reach the MZ generation, and the metaverse would be an opportune platform now.” 

The envisioned next step of the Internet, the metaverse brings people together online in immersive, collective virtual spaces that may employ emerging technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, 3D and more. Participants on Gather can create an avatar and travel through the virtual festival space to attend the events of their choosing.

Kicking off the virtual proceedings for Hic et Nunc will be “Spiritual Reflections,” a live violin recital by prize-winning international performer Stephen Kim on Sunday, August 22, at 8 p.m. from the Seoul Arts Center. It continues with live two-hour violin master classes by David Chan, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra’s concertmaster, and Frank Huang, New York Philharmonic’s concertmaster, on August 25 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively from Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies (aSSIST). 

The events will include a performance at the Seoul Arts Center by the Sejong Soloists, a dream team of classical music virtuosos, that serves as artist-in-residence at the festival. The orchestra will perform a selection from Gaetano Donizetti’s tragic opera Lucia di Lammermoor with musical guests and Metropolitan Opera artists, Soprano Kathleen Kim and Concertmaster David Chan. Chan and New York Philharmonic concertmaster Frank Huang will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins; Chan and bassist Kurt Muroki will present Bottesini’s Grand Duo Concertante. The concert will be streamed in the metaverse space at a later date. 

All times given are Korean Standard Time. To experience Sejong’s metaverse, visit https://gather.town/app/cIoxvUqjQx8DK1Vt/sejong.  

ABOUT THE HIC ET NUNC! FESTIVAL:

Hic et nunc, the Latin phrase for ‘here and now,’ reflects the artistic vision of the music festival as we introduce new trends and top-notch artists who champion the music of today as well as present the classics in new contexts. With its forward-looking programming, the festival aims to provide new musical experiences to the audience. 

ABOUT SEJONG SOLOISTS

Hailed by CNN as "one of the top ensembles of today,” Sejong Soloists has performed internationally on the world’s major stages, and in U.S. venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center at their invitation. Since its inception 26 years ago, the orchestra has performed 600 concerts in more than 120 cities around the world. Sejong Soloists served as the Honorary Ambassador of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games and ensemble-in-residence at the Aspen Music Festival for nine seasons. 

From 2004 through 2010 Sejong Soloists played a leading role in the creation and development of the Daegwallyeong International Music Festival (now Music in PyeongChang). Sejong Soloists also strives to cultivate future generations of performers and is committed to advancing the artistry and leadership of its musicians. Current and former Sejong members such as concertmasters of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, and Hamburg National Philharmonic Orchestra continue to perform as ensemble members worldwide.

Sejong Soloists was established as a string orchestra in New York in 1994, consisting of eleven young international artists invited by Hyo Kang, Professor of Violin from the Juilliard School. Sejong Soloists has ventured and grown with bold performances and repertoires ranging from chamber music to symphony orchestra, to collaborations with eclectic soloists.

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Media contact:

Cheryl L. Duncan
Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc.
cheryl@cdcprnews.com