Korean Performing Arts Initiative | Singular: Honoring the Life of Ilhan New

Ensemble PHASE is a collective of musicians dedicated to experimental music that brings traditional Korean instruments into dialogue with diverse musical languages. Since its founding in 2017, the ensemble has performed internationally, released three albums, and commissioned and premiered nearly 50 new works in collaboration with leading artists from Korea and around the world.

For this special performance, Ensemble PHASE presents a program inspired by the life and legacy of Ilhan New, the Korean American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and University of Michigan alumnus. Through innovative musical interpretations, the performance explores the intersections of Korean and American experiences, offering a fresh artistic perspective on New’s remarkable life and enduring legacy.


Program
PART 1
1. Hometown (故鄉) – Daegeum Solo, “Cheongseonggok”
This piece evokes the tranquil Korean countryside at the time of his birth.
Performers Daegeum: Jungmin Lim

2. Crossing to America (渡美) – Pansori, “Beompijungryu” from Simcheongga
This boat-sailing passage of Simcheongga stands for his voyage to the United States at the
age of nine.
Performers Pansori: Sowon Kim / Buk: Minseop Song

3. Unfamiliar Land (生疏) – Saengso Byeongju (Saenghwang and Danso Ensemble),
“Suryongeum”
This piece expresses the unfamiliar feelings he must have felt on arriving in a strange new
land, America.
Performers Danso: Minseop Song / Saenghwang: Jeongmin Son

4. Hardship (刻苦) – Gayageum Sanjo (Choi Ok-sam school)
Sanjo demands that a performer sharpen their skill to the utmost limit, and it reflects the
relentless effort with which he studied after coming to America.
Performers Gayageum: Hyunchae Kim / Janggo: Minseop Song

5. Growing Old Together (偕老) – “Manpajeongsikjigok”
This piece represents his meeting his wife in America and their marriage, the beginning of a
life growing old together.
Performers Piri: Jeongmin Son / Daegeum: Jungmin Lim / Haegeum: Sunghee Lee / Janggo:
Minseop Song

— Intermission —

PART 2
6. Founding (創業) – “Grown From Seeds” from SELF_LESS (composed by Edward Schocker)
Facing the bleak reality of Korea at that time, he worked for his people with the heart of one
who finds hope in a handful of seeds.
Performers Voice: Sowon Kim / Saenghwang: Minseop Song / Daepiri: Jeongmin Son / Daegeum:
Jungmin Lim / Haegeum: Sunghee Lee / Gayageum: Hyunchae Kim
Reference video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAVfVZxDksc (20:17–24:53)

7. A Divided Homeland (分斷) – “A House Divided” (composed by Dana Kaufman)
This piece portrays Korea divided by war immediately after liberation.
Performers Daegeum: Jungmin Lim / Cello: Katarina Elise*

8. Going Underground (潛行) – “Cloud Study IV” (composed by Hyoshin Na)
In 1945, at the age of fifty, he volunteered for the U.S. OSS Napko Project to fight for his
homeland’s independence.
Performers Haegeum: Sunghee Lee / Gayageum: Hyunchae Kim

9. Legacy (遺産) – “The Twenty Million” (composed by Edward Schocker) — World Premiere
His achievements and his will to return his entire fortune to education have had a profound
influence on later generations.
Performers Voice: Sowon Kim / Piri & Saenghwang: Minseop Song / Daegeum: Jungmin Lim /
Haegeum: Sunghee Lee / Gayageum: Hyunchae Kim / Cello: Katarina Elise*

Event Poster: https://myumi.ch/nVJ45

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at outreachkorea@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.