CANYON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – West Texas A&M University is set to feature South Korean piano soloist Minkyoung Song for an upcoming WT Symphony Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. on February 19, according to a press release from the WT Communications Department. .

Song will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Mary Northen Recital Hall. WT detailed that Song came to WT in January 2021 to pursue her master’s degree after traveling to her home country in May 2019. WT musicians performed at Suwon University, National Changwon University and at the International Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

Additionally, Song attended a master class from Dr. Choong-ha Nam, a piano teacher at WT, and applied to study at WT “on encouragement” from his adviser in Suwon, WT explained.

“I came here because I wanted to study in a bigger world that I had never seen or experienced before,” Song said. “I thought at WT I could study music on my own and learn about other cultures.”

“She is serious about developing her skills as a musician and pianist to the highest degree possible and is never shy about trying and assimilating new ideas and exploring music in depth,” Nam said. “New possibilities of color, voice, phrasing and subtle nuances seem to excite her immensely, and exploring them with her and seeing her musical sense blossom has been wonderfully rewarding.”

WT added that William Grant Still’s “Afro-American Symphony” will also be featured in the concert.

“This piece uses the blues in an orchestral setting to present four perspectives on the Black experience in the United States – nostalgia, grief, humor and aspiration,” said Dr. Mark Bartley, music teacher Lilith Brainard, director of activities orchestral and associate director. from the music school of WT.

“The music is by turns celebratory, thoughtful and heartfelt, yet always engaging. Anyone new to Still’s music will recognize a similar style to Gershwin’s,” Bartley concluded.