Wisconsin Gagok Ensemble | Arts + Literature Laboratory | Madison Contemporary Arts Center

Wisconsin Gagok Ensemble

Arts + Literature Laboratory welcomes the Wisconsin Gagok Ensemble for an evening of Korean art songs on the theme of "Springtime," on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 general advance and $10 ALL members/students advance online, or $20 at the door for everyone. Tickets available at https://wisgagokensemble.bpt.me

The term "gagok" translates directly to Art Song, a genre of Korean vocal music. This "Springtime" themed program will consist of 13 songs, featuring Korean composers. 

Starting in the early 20th century, many Korean composers were trained in western European techniques. The program features many songs firmly in the romantic style, with lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and themes of springtime, nature, and flowers. Other songs weave together traditional Korean folk melodies and rhythms with western harmonies. Vivid images of picturesque landscapes featuring a cacophony of birdsong and the eternal hope of spring flowers unfold throughout the program. The music explores the range of emotions from a land of devastating beauty that has experienced cycles of war and occupation and peace and prosperity, and throughout the centuries has maintained a distinct cultural profile that continues to evolve to this day. The songs will be performed entirely in Korean; texts and translations are provided.

Feature photo credit: Sarah Liu.

Jessica Schwefel

Mezzo soprano, Dr. Jessica Schwefel, has performed in over 35 operatic productions with Madison Opera, Opera for the Young, Fresco Opera Theatre, UW Opera, Music By The Lake, among others. Jessica was also a member of the Florentine Opera Chorus for over a decade, where she had been involved in a number of productions and outreach performances. Her involvement with the Florentine Opera resulted in a GRAMMY award nomination in 2020, and three GRAMMY awards in 2012 and 2013.

An accomplished solo singer, she has held recent engagements with the Madison Choral Project, Four Seasons Theatre, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Madison Bach Musicians, Present Music, Oshkosh Chamber Singers, and many more.

Jessica’s articles have been published in the VOICEPrints Journal of the NYSTA, the NATS Journal of Singing, as well as the Wisconsin School Musician (WSMA). She resides in McFarland, WI where she maintains her private voice studio, the Timman Music... Read More

Youngjoo Hong

Youngjoo Hong, soprano, is a dynamic musician in both the concert and teaching fields. Along with her interpretation of standard repertoire, Youngjoo is a passionate performer and advocate of contemporary and early music. She holds a Music Education degree (BM) and a Master of Music (MM) in Voice Performance from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Her recent performance of a Korean Art Song Recital at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison was impressively received. In 2023, Youngjoo performed her solo voice recital in Seoul and Pusan, South Korea. Also, Youngjoo's Master's Recital at UW–Madison at the Hamel Music center in February 2020 was a huge success. Prior to entering the master’s program in UW– Madison, Youngjoo taught General Music and Choral Music in the Middleton Cross plains Area School District. As a church choir director, Youngjoo has served in the Korean Catholic Community mass for many years at the St. Paul University Center. Youngjoo maintains a private voice... Read More

Susan Gaeddert

Susan Gaeddert studied Piano Performance, Pedagogy, and Collaborative Piano at UW-Madison, where she earned a doctorate in 2007 and was a winner of the Shain Competition for piano and woodwind duos. Susan has toured the state with Opera For The Young, taught at Edgewood College, and performed with a number of local musicians at festivals and recitals in the Madison area. For many years, she worked with students of all ages teaching piano and coaching singers and instrumentalists as a professional accompanist. Susan recently obtained a degree in Urban/Regional Planning, and she now works as Community Programs Director for 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, an organization specializing in land use and transportation planning.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Arts + Literature Laboratory is located at 111 S. Livingston Street #100, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.

Our galleries are open Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday noon to 5pm, and other programs take place throughout the week. Please check the events calendar and education section for details.

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