About Us
Ewha Philharmonic enhances lives through music
As the first institution devoted to providing a higher education to women in South Korea, Ewha Womans University has established itself as the birthplace of women's education since its opening in 1886. The College of Music was established in 1925 as the first music department in Korea and Ewha orchestra was founded respectively in 1960 as the ‘Korea’s first women’s orchestra’ under the direction of Prof. Heeseok Jeong.
Since its inception, Ewha Womans or Womens University Orchestra has been well received for its performances both in opera and symphonic repertoire. With the leadership and artistic vision of conductor and professor Kisun Sung, the orchestra has been developed both musically and in recognition. At the 2012 Seoul Arts Center Symphonic Festival, the orchestra was the first university orchestra to ever be invited. Since then the orchestra has been regularly returned and performed such full scale masterpieces as R. Strauss’s “Ein Heldenleben”, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”, and Mahler’s Symphony No.6. Ewha Womans University Orchestra also performed abroad at Rufach International Music Festival in Alsace, France, in Berlin's Philharmonie, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. In opera, Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” at the University Opera Festival in 2010 organized by the Seoul Arts Center was praised for its unique adaptation to a Korean story.
In addition to the Ewha University Orchestra, Ewha music college have founded Ewha Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013 to support the performing activities of Ewha graduates. Starting with the inauguration concert held at the EWU auditorium in January 2013, the Ewha Philharmonic performed Verdi's Requiem and Beethoven's Choral Symphony at Seoul Arts center and many other successful concerts followed. The orchestra collaborated with such renowned pianists as Miroslaw Kultuchew and Peter Donahue. The ensemble performed at the final round for The International Isang Yun Competition for young composers, the special performance with the winners of the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Seoul and TongYeong.
Ewha Womans University Orchestra is currently devising a plan to a leap forward on the world stage under the guidance of conductor Kisun Sung.