> Korean drummers find balance between stage and studies
Korean drummers find balance between stage and studies
May 29, 2008
The powerful rhythms of Cheondoong – a talented local Korean drumming troupe preparing to perform at SFU’s May 31 Open House - show little hint of the sweat and toil that creates their thunder.
The team of dedicated young people – most of them, university students - strive for perfection under the guidance of their teacher, Master Kim Sung II, a Korean musician who immigrated to Vancouver, and through long hours of practice.
Many of the drummers attend SFU and spend countless hours practicing (often, long into the night) in a vacant space in SFU’s Maggie Benston Centre.
Team members share a common desire to promote their Korean culture in the community – and for many that means juggling practice and their studies.
“Cheondoong has allowed me to strengthen the sense of my identity as a proud Korean-Canadian,” says Jeehwa Lee, a student in molecular biology and biochemistry who recently graduated. “Despite my enthusiasm for drumming, I had to struggle to set a time apart for team’s practice and performance, especially during exam periods.
“Through times of hardship I’ve learned patience, passion, sacrifice and the true meaning of teamwork.”
First-year SFU arts student Kyung Han Min says advice from other members is making time management more effective – particularly as most are in the same position. “I never expected that being part of Cheondoong would take such a big part of my time when I first joined the team – but I am having the most valuable time of my life when we play and practice.”
Loris Yoon, who has completed the first year of business and international studies, says fellow members are “so passionate about both their music and their studying - their high spirits help me to push myself harder to do well on everything.”
Created in 2004, the group became the Cheondoong Performing Arts Society in April 2008. The musicians have given more than 50 community performances and will play their first theatrical performance at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre on June 27.
The word Cheondoong means ‘thunder’ in English. The group’s administrative director and performer Jei Park says it “accurately depicts the invigorating passion and energy delivered by the team’s heart-stirring performances as they play Korean percussion music with modernistic originality.”
Team Cheondoong will perform at SFU’s Open House on May 31 at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. in Convocation Mall.
The team of dedicated young people – most of them, university students - strive for perfection under the guidance of their teacher, Master Kim Sung II, a Korean musician who immigrated to Vancouver, and through long hours of practice.
Many of the drummers attend SFU and spend countless hours practicing (often, long into the night) in a vacant space in SFU’s Maggie Benston Centre.
Team members share a common desire to promote their Korean culture in the community – and for many that means juggling practice and their studies.
“Cheondoong has allowed me to strengthen the sense of my identity as a proud Korean-Canadian,” says Jeehwa Lee, a student in molecular biology and biochemistry who recently graduated. “Despite my enthusiasm for drumming, I had to struggle to set a time apart for team’s practice and performance, especially during exam periods.
“Through times of hardship I’ve learned patience, passion, sacrifice and the true meaning of teamwork.”
First-year SFU arts student Kyung Han Min says advice from other members is making time management more effective – particularly as most are in the same position. “I never expected that being part of Cheondoong would take such a big part of my time when I first joined the team – but I am having the most valuable time of my life when we play and practice.”
Loris Yoon, who has completed the first year of business and international studies, says fellow members are “so passionate about both their music and their studying - their high spirits help me to push myself harder to do well on everything.”
Created in 2004, the group became the Cheondoong Performing Arts Society in April 2008. The musicians have given more than 50 community performances and will play their first theatrical performance at New Westminster’s Massey Theatre on June 27.
The word Cheondoong means ‘thunder’ in English. The group’s administrative director and performer Jei Park says it “accurately depicts the invigorating passion and energy delivered by the team’s heart-stirring performances as they play Korean percussion music with modernistic originality.”
Team Cheondoong will perform at SFU’s Open House on May 31 at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. in Convocation Mall.