Hahm launches orchestra truck tour

The Symphony S.O.N.G orchestra company, headed by conductor Hahm Shin-ik, performs on a truck in the schoolyard of Samyang Elementary School in northern Seoul, on March 19. The orchestra recently launched a free classical concert project called “The Wing” in a bid to spread classical music to more people. / Yonhap

Conductor Hahm Shin-ik speaks to reporters after performing at Samyang Elementary School in Seoul, on March 19. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

Mobile food vendors are a worldwide trend for providing the relatively low-cost indulgence of street food, but can mobile trucks help popularize classical music as well?

One person who believes so is conductor Hahm Shin-ik.

The former chief conductor of KBS Symphony Orchestra recently launched an ambitious project, believing that classical performances in a non-traditional setting would help spread orchestra music to people living in remote places.

To realize this idea, the 58-year-old chief director of Symphony S.O.N.G (Symphony Orchestra for the Next Generation), borrowed a 5.5-ton truck from local paint manufacturer Noru Paint and completed an inaugural performance in front of 600 students at Samyang Elementary School in northern Seoul on March 19.

Naming the project “The Wing,” Hahm’s orchestra thrilled the school children who were not familiar with classical music before.

“Our orchestra decided to perform at the elementary school because we thought elementary students were the last people to visit concert halls,” Hahm said after the performance.

Also, in a bid to let them get closer to classical music, the Symphony S.O.N.G played popular songs written by prominent composers including Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach and Haydn.

In addition, he gave a brief introduction about the pieces and taught them “audience attitude” between performances.

“Whenever you are moved by the music, you are always welcome to shout out ‘bravo!’ It will give us great encouragement,” Hahm said to the children.

“As far as I know, my orchestra company is probably be the world’s first full size one to perform classical music on a truck,” Hahm said.

He added that he embarked on this plan to offer more chances for the public to listen to more classical music.

“Whenever I toured around the country, I always felt that there are not many proper concert halls except in a few major cities.

“I thought this is why the public felt distance from classical music. Therefore, I began to plan this project since the early 2000s,” Hahm said.

Hahm emphasized that listening to a live music performance will make listeners feel more intimate with the music.

“Thanks to advanced technology, we can now enjoy performances of world-class orchestras at home. However, I can guarantee that a live performance will leave a longer lasting impression as listeners can actually see the musicians performing,” he said.

When asked why he chose to have a show on truck stage instead of performing at a stadium or at a village hall, Hahm answered, “It sounds strange but performing on an outdoor truck stage is much easier to create better sound compared to performing in a place where we have not performed.

“Of course, we will not use our truck if there is a good concert hall, but there are not many good places to perform in secluded areas,” he added.

Hahm said “The Wing” project is already scheduled to perform at a military camp, a hospital and a correctional institution.

“This project has momentum; I hope the day when more people enjoy listening to classical music is coming soon,” he said.