Yongsan enjoys good neighbor concert

By Spc. Jason C. Adolphson (USAG-Yongsan)November 15, 2008

Yongsan enjoys good neighbor concert
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

<strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - There was a full house at Seoul American High School Auditorium Nov. 13 as the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra performed a free concert for the Yongsan community.

"We've been bringing these annual performances here for years to keep alliances strong," said Korea America Friendship Society President Park Keun. "The crowds always seem to really enjoy them," he said in light of the attentive audience.

The KAFS sponsored the concert. Maestro Suh Hyun-suk,conducted. Midway through the concert, a classical men's vocal group "U-Angel Voice" sang in harmony with the orchestra.

Musical selections included classical compositions by Tchaikovsky and Bernstein and popular vocal selections such as "Nants' Ingonyma" from The Lion King, "You Raise Me Up" and more.

<div align="center"><a href="http://flickriver.com/photos/usag-yongsan/sets/72157609050028683/"><img src="http://flickriver.com/badge/user/set-72157609050028683/recent/shuffle/medium-horiz/ffffff/333333/25389429@N05.jpg" border="0" alt="usag.yongsan - View my 'Good Neighbor Concert' set on Flickriver" title="usag.yongsan - View my 'Good Neighbor Concert' set on Flickriver"/></a></div>

"Many of the people here may have felt homesick when we played them American songs, but we knew they would enjoy them, and the Korean songs helped them to better understand our culture," Park said. "All in all, it's a very powerful thing when you can bring people together through music."

U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Walter L. Sharp noted in the events program that the concert highlighted "themes of home, hope and love evoke universal feelings and fond memories that transcend both language and geography."

KAFS is a 17-year-old good neighbor organization created to strengthen friendships and relationships between Koreans and Americans.

Park said his group meets its goals "through various studies on relationships, activities for mutual understanding and friendship and promotion of exchange."

Related Links:

Organizations Promoting U.S. - Korea Exchanges

U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Flickr Site

U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Official Site