The Korea Pansori Preservation Association are in town for their K-music concert on 6 October, and they’re taking advantage of their trip to run a workshop at SOAS the day before:
P’ansori workshop
Saturday 5 October 2019, 2pm – 5pm
Main Building, Room G52 | SOAS | 10 Thornhaugh St | Bloomsbury | London WC1H 0XG
Check for updates on the event’s Facebook page
Learn the singing and drumming accompaniment of this epic storytelling genre from Korea
P’ansori is an epic sung storytelling genre from Korea, which has been recognized for its artistic value as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In this genre, a single singer tells a story spanning from two to eight hours, accompanied by a single drummer, who provides rhythmic accompaniment and shouts of encouragement to the singer. The five stories transmitted until today span the full range of human experience, as the singer uses just their voice to express not just all states of emotion, but also dramatic scenes and even the sounds of nature. Training for p’ansori singers is traditionally very arduous, as singers spend years, if not decades, honing and strengthening their voices to have the necessary range, power, and stamina to tell a full story.
In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to get a taste of this challenging art form, with the rare opportunity to learn not only the singing, but the drumming accompaniment as well.
Korean language skill is not required; all source materials will be in English and translators will be on hand.
P’ansori teachers
Min Hye-Sung: Isuja (senior disciple) of National Important Intangible Culture Asset No.5 P’ansori Song of Hŭngbo
Kim Su-Ji: Isuja of National Important Intangible Culture Asset No.5 P’ansori Song of Ch’unhyangDrumming teacher
Choi Kwang-Su: Isuja of National Important Intangible Culture Asset No.17 P’ansori Drumming
Workshop convenor
Anna Yates-Lu: Ethnomusicologist, University of Oxford Oriental Institute
Information on the workshop organiser
The Korea Pansori Preservation Association preserves the rich history of traditional Korean opera, studying the art and sharing its joy and charm throughout the modern world. The company consists of Living National Treasures, holders of Important Intangible Cultural Assets and their senior students.
How do we register for the event?
I’ve reached out to the organiser to find out
And the answer is: you don’t need to register. Just turn up.
From recollection, G52 is a small theatre-style room and there will be plenty of space.