Boise State University's director of choral music Michael Porter recently took part in an
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) exchange program that saw him
learn about the well-established choral tradition in South Korea.
“Each year the program focuses on a
different country, chosen for its strong choral traditions,” Porter said. “In
South Korea, choral music is part of their national identity. I was excited to
learn how robust South Korea’s music education system is.”
The International Conductors Exchange
Program began this year with an ACDA conference in Seoul, after which the seven
participating conductors, chosen through a peer-reviewed process including
applications and auditions, spent time with specific choirs throughout the
country. Porter traveled to Cheongju, where he worked with the city choir
conducted by Kee-Tae Kong. He also worked with church, school, children’s and
community choirs.
Porter is using the information he learned
in South Korea to inform his students at home at Boise State.
“I want students to understand that they
are not just U.S. citizens, but that they are global citizens,” he said, before
explaining the group context of choral music. “You’re in a situation where you
can’t do it on your own. You have to rely on the success of the person next to
you. It’s a selfless activity-- less of I and more of we.”
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