Korean percussion combines many different instruments, each with their own unique sound to create an ensemble sound. Traditional Korean music included court, folk and ritual styles and is now expanding from influences of modern life and Western culture. Historically, Korean drumming could be combined with song, dance and literature to join together various forms and elements of Korean art.
UW-La Crosse offers two performing Korean music groups, one for beginners and one for advanced students. The Korean Percussion Ensemble and Advanced Korean Drumming are both taught by Dr. Soojin Ritterling, an associate professor of music education. Not only does she teach general music education classes, Ritterling is also an applied vocal instructor and a contributing author to several educational Korean music units.
Both Korean percussion groups aim to contribute to the cultural and aesthetic experience of UW-L students and have received national recognition as valuable performing programs. Each year, both ensembles perform in over twenty concerts, including two annual university concerts and campus events, as well as performances at other local campuses and the surrounding areas.
The beginning group, The Korean Percussion Ensemble, meets once a week for an hour on Fridays. All students must start in the beginner group for one semester before being considered for the advanced group. Ritterling requires students to practice for 20 minutes each day in order to improve personal performance skills that will benefit the entire ensemble. Ritterling also has each student begin learning on the most difficult instrument so that students will be able to quickly pick up on the necessary rhythms and skills for any of the others.
Zach Zalewski, a fourth year microbiology student, said, “Learning to read the rhythms can be frustrating in the beginning, but you start to associate the memory of how a certain rhythm sounds with what it looks like in the music.”
The Advanced Korean Drumming group also meets for one hour each week on Wednesdays. This ensemble travelled to Nashville, TN for four days in October to perform and teach at the Nation Association for Music Education (NAfME) national convention.
UW-L student Sarah Mickelson participates in both ensembles as a teacher and leader. Over the course of her four years in the ensembles, Mickelson has found a sense of community and excitement from her participation.
She commented, “Over the years we have been given so many new and interesting opportunities to do amazing things.”
Although she said the music is challenging and Ritterling has high expectations, the students give it their all, and the group is full of fun and exciting new experiences.
Zalewski agreed saying, “There is no better feeling than when everybody in the ensemble falls into a groove, and you just let the beat of the music carry you through to the end.”
He said he uses the hour of practice for some great stress relief.
Both Zalewski and Mickelson joined the ensemble after some convincing from friends and being involved in other musical activities on campus, however, the group is open to all students. The ensembles’ next performance is on Wed., Dec 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Annett Recital Hall, Center for the Arts.