The Donna Weng Friedman ’80 Masterclass Series presents a masterclass with acclaimed pianist Min Kwon on Sunday, November 3rd, at 2PM. The Series provides students from across campus the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with renowned performers in a workshop format that is open to the public.
Korean-born American pianist and arts advocate Min Kwon will perform works from her ambitious project, America/Beautiful, which has commissioned over 70 leading American composers to each craft a variation on the song “America the Beautiful.” Kwon’s hope is to paint a sonic picture of her adopted country in all of its sprawling complexity, and ultimately try to find the beauty at the core of the American experiment and its guiding principle, e pluribus num(out of many, one).
“As an immigrant, America has so many different meanings to me. These past few years have left us so deeply divided, and I have often asked myself what kind of a country I will be leaving to my two daughters - whose birthdays happen to fall on President’s Day and the Fourth of July.
Ultimately this project is about embracing our diversity, and remembering that by understanding, appreciating, and celebrating our differences, we become stronger both as individuals and as a country. The fact that 70 composers can hear the same song in a completely different way is, to me, something truly beautiful.” - Min Kwon
***
Sun, Nov 3, 2024
Masterclass — 2-4 PM ET
Concert — 5-6 PM ET
Participating students include:
Brianna Dai ’28
Isabelle Bruening '27
Charlie Ku ’26
Kasey Shao ’25
Korean-born American pianist and arts advocate Min Kwon will perform works from her ambitious project, America/Beautiful, which has commissioned over 70 leading American composers to each craft a variation on the song “America the Beautiful.” Kwon’s hope is to paint a sonic picture of her adopted country in all of its sprawling complexity, and ultimately try to find the beauty at the core of the American experiment and its guiding principle, e pluribus num(out of many, one).
“As an immigrant, America has so many different meanings to me. These past few years have left us so deeply divided, and I have often asked myself what kind of a country I will be leaving to my two daughters - whose birthdays happen to fall on President’s Day and the Fourth of July.
Ultimately this project is about embracing our diversity, and remembering that by understanding, appreciating, and celebrating our differences, we become stronger both as individuals and as a country. The fact that 70 composers can hear the same song in a completely different way is, to me, something truly beautiful.” - Min Kwon
***
Sun, Nov 3, 2024
Masterclass — 2-4 PM ET
Concert — 5-6 PM ET
Participating students include:
Brianna Dai ’28
Isabelle Bruening '27
Charlie Ku ’26
Kasey Shao ’25
University programs and activities are open to all eligible participants without regard to identity or other protected characteristics. Sponsorship of an event does not constitute institutional endorsement of external speakers or views presented.