This concert will feature works from Spain, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia.
20th Annual International Student Concert
APR 7 | TUES 7:30 PM
Miller Recital
Free, no tickets required
Performing: 신고산타령 “Shingosan Taryeong” by 장일남 Ihl Nam Chang and 뱃노래 “Baennorae (A Sailor’s Song)” by 조두남 Du Nam Cho
Tell us about the pieces you are performing in this concert! Why did you choose these?
I selected to perform Shingosan Taryeong by Ihl Nam Chang and Baennorae by Du Nam Cho. Since pursuing my studies in the United States, I have developed a deeper connection to my homeland and take great pride in being Korean. I also recognized that many people may not have had exposure to Korea, and I proudly wanted to share my country.
Tell us more about the pieces you are performing in this concert!
Sooin: I decided to select traditional songs that could musically narrate the emotions and intrinsic character of Korea. A chosen pair of art songs, composed in the mid-20th century, captures the essence of Korean sentiment. They reflect the serene beauty of Korea’s landscapes and the poignant emotion of ‘Han,’ a uniquely Korean feeling of longing. Through flowing rhythms and distinctive melodies, they convey the soul of Korea and its cultural atmosphere during that period, allowing listeners to experience the country’s emotional depth and heritage.
I hope the audience can immerse in the emotions, culture, and language of Korea and truly experience the richness and beauty of its musical heritage!
Why is studying at MSM important to you?
Sooin: The Manhattan School of Music has provided far more than I could have ever expected. It goes beyond merely developing my performance skills or theoretical knowledge and has profoundly shaped me into an artist who remains true to my inner voice. My experience at MSM has been invaluable and truly exceptional. Here, I have learned not only technical skills but also a sincere approach to music and a deeper understanding of music as a means of human communication. Through interactions with professors and colleagues, I have gained diverse perspectives and come to understand music in a broader and deeper way. Most importantly, my time at MSM has allowed me to rediscover how music serves as the compass guiding my journey through life. This experience enabled me to connect music to my lifelong passion and sense of purpose. I realized that music is not merely my field of study or a career path, but an essential part of my existence. Through these experiences, I continue to become the artist I aspire to be.
What is your favorite part about living in NYC?
Sooin: One of my favorite parts about living in New York City is its unmatched diversity and energy. Known as the “capital of the world,” it feels like a place where the entire world exists in one city. People from completely different cultural backgrounds and with different values do not just live side by side, they truly coexist. Being surrounded by that kind of environment has guided me to become more open-minded and aware of perspectives beyond my own. What I love most is that NYC constantly challenges and expands me. Through this, I am not only growing musically but also learning about life in a deeper and more meaningful way, gradually understanding who I truly am. Also, in this city, differences are not just accepted, they are embraced with love, respect, and understanding. Somehow, all of those differences come together to create a powerful sense of unity. That is what makes New York so special to me. It is not just a city, it is an experience that shapes who you are.
Performing: 雪花的快乐 “The Joy of Snowflakes” and 歌 “Song” by Rui Zhang
For this concert, I will be performing two Chinese art songs, “The Joy of Snowflakes” and “Song,” both connected to the poetry of Xu Zhimo. “The Joy of Snowflakes” emerges from his original poem, while “Song” sets a text he translated from English. Having spent the past two years in New York after growing up in Beijing, I have become increasingly aware of how the winters of these two cities echo one another. This year’s snowfall, the heaviest I have ever experienced, brought these poems to life for me in an unexpected and deeply personal way. Through these works, I hope to share not only a sense of place, but also a quiet, shifting emotional landscape shaped by distance and memory
Huiyan: Studying at MSM has been a transformative experience for me, both artistically and personally. It is a space where I am constantly challenged to refine my technique while also deepening my understanding of expression and musical identity. Studying under Joan Patenaude-Yarnell has been especially meaningful, as her guidance has helped me develop a more natural and nuanced approach to vocal production. As an international student, navigating a new environment has not always been easy, but it has pushed me to grow in ways I did not expect. The support of my teacher and the energy of this community have given me a stronger sense of direction and purpose as I continue to develop as a singer.
Huiyan: What I value most about living in New York City is its sense of movement and possibility. The city is constantly unfolding, offering encounters with different cultures, sounds, and perspectives. As a young musician, this environment is both grounding and inspiring, reminding me that art exists within a larger, ever-changing world. At the same time, there are moments of quiet—especially in winter—that feel unexpectedly familiar, as if the distance between New York and Beijing briefly disappears
“Studying at MSM has been a transformative experience for me, both artistically and personally.” Huiyan Wang (BM ’28, Classical Voice)
“Studying at MSM has been a transformative experience for me, both artistically and personally.”
Huiyan Wang (BM ’28, Classical Voice)
Performing: “Vaarwel” by Vincent Bos
Vincent: The piece that we will be performing is a song called ‘Vaarwel’ which literally translates to ‘Farewell’. It is a song that holds a lot of personal weight for me, as I wrote it for my late Grandmother. It follows the story of my Grandmother’s repatriation to the Netherlands. During a period of post-war unrest, Dutch-Indonesians had to say goodbye to their homeland. In this song I wanted to capture the pain that saying goodbye brings, as well as the reflection and peace that can come with it. Written in my mother tongue, the song connects to an important part of my family’s cultural history.
Vincent: As a composer, one of the most important things MSM has provided me with is the opportunity to build my portfolio. With the guidance of my private instructor Dr. J. Mark Stambaugh, I’ve been able to develop technically as well as in terms of my own compositional voice. At the same time, the MSM community is incredibly talented and motivated, and it is easy to find musicians who are genuinely excited to perform your music. Hearing my music being brought to life by my extremely talented friends has been extremely inspiring and essential to my growth as a composer.
Vincent: My favorite part of NYC is the sheer number of exciting events that happen all the time. It is difficult to even keep track of how many concerts are happening in the city at any given moment. I have really gotten to experience all kinds of music from jazz to classical to musical theatre, and pop music all at the highest level. Living in NYC as a musician has really spoiled me!
Performing: “Metamorfosis de concierto” by Manuel M. Ponce and “Etude in C-sharp minor, Op. 42 No. 5” by Alexander Scriabin
Vladimir: This program brings together two composers whose musical languages reflect deeply personal and cultural identities. Manuel M. Ponce’s Metamorfosis de concierto blends chromatic harmonies with the infamous theme from the composer’s song “La Estrellita” (“The little star” dedicated to his daughter), that evoke the expressive warmth of Mexican musical tradition. In contrast, Alexander Scriabin’s Etude Op. 42 No. 5 represents the composer’s highly individual late-Romantic style, full of poetic drama and the beauty of the tragedy, “the last flight of a wounded bird…”. As a pianist with both Russian and Mexican roots, this pairing reflects an artistic dialogue between the two musical cultures that have shaped my life. I chose these two pieces because each of them represent the qualities of each culture that appreciate the most, extremely different yet at the same time beautiful.
Vladimir: Studying at MSM is important because of the musical community. It’s a place where the art is valuable at its most authentic sense.
Vladimir: My favorite part about living in NYC is the sense of fast life, closeness to the best cultural life you can find: theatres, galleries, museums, concert halls.
130 Claremont Avenue New York, New York 10027 212-749-2802
Email This Page
Email Message
Page Reference (will be sent in email)
https://www.msmnyc.edu/news/meet-four-of-the-students-who-are-part-of-the-20th-annual-international-student-concert-on-april-7/
This site uses cookies to improve user experience. By continuing, you agree to our updated policy. To find out more, visit our cookie & information use policy.