21-22 AMIS/Dwight Orchestra Festival

On March 21, 2022, I participated in the High School Honor Orchestra Festival in Lotte Concert Hall. This was a performance intensely prepared in the course of four days at Dwight school. Rehearsals lasted from three to eight hours. Despite the tough practice schedule, meeting new friends and making harmony with different instruments and voices brough much happiness to me.

To explain this event - first, I auditioned and was accepted for the AMIS international festival. However, AMIS got cancelled due to COVID-19. Then, the High School Honor Orchestra intended for all international schools in Korea got cancelled due to COVID-19 as well. Last, we were thankfully given an opportunity to participate in the Dwight Orchestra Festival, where Yongsan International School of Seoul students and Dwight school students collaborated to perform in the National High School Orchestra Festival. I was so thankful to have this even because AMIS - which I had looked forward since Middle School, was cancelled along with the performance including all international schools in Korea. It was an invaluable experience to perform and meet new people. I had the privilege of being conducted by four different conductors and also being part of a distinguished small ensemble. By this event, I was not only able to friend new people, but also re-sparked my passion in viola. Next year, I look forward to compete in an international solo competition and also AMIS festival that would hopefully include all world-wide participants.