“Becoming the hub of global woodwind music”
The Gonjiam Music Festival (GMF), held in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a special program. Scheduled to take place from August 2 to August 8, 2025, at the Gwangju City Culture & Arts Center (formerly Namhansanseong Art Hall), this festival has established itself as a leading wind music education festival in Asia and continues to gain international recognition beyond Korea.
Notably, GMF has pioneered a joint audition project with the Berliner Philharmoniker Karajan-Akademie, the first of its kind in the world. This initiative has played a crucial role in connecting young musicians from Korea and Asia to the global stage. Every year, principal wind players from the Berliner Philharmoniker collaborate with the festival, further enhancing its prestige and solidifying its position as a hub for wind music education in Asia.
To mark the 10th anniversary, a Festival Union Orchestra will be newly formed. Selected young musicians from Korea and Asia will perform alongside Berlin Philharmonic soloists at the opening and closing concerts, creating a platform for musical exchange that transcends generations and borders.
Additionally, world-renowned Berliner Philharmoniker soloists and distinguished professors from Korea and Asia will take part in solo performances, ensemble concerts, collaborations, orchestral performances, open masterclasses, and lecture programs. This diverse and enriching educational experience will not only inspire young musicians but also offer unforgettable musical experiences to audiences.
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Key Artists
• “Berliner Philharmoniker Soloists”
- Albrecht Mayer (Principal Oboe)
- Andreas Blau (Former Principal Flute)
- Wenzel Fuchs (Principal Clarinet)
- Stefan Schweigert (Principal Bassoon)
- Yun Zeng (Principal Horn)
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• Festival Union Orchestra
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• Renowned Professors from Korea & Asia
- Seok-Jun Lee (Horn, Professor at Korea National University of Arts, Principal Conductor)
- Yerin Lee (Flute, Professor at Korea National University of Arts)
- Satoki Aoyama (Oboe, Professor at Musashino Academia Musicae)
- Yunjung Lee (Oboe, Professor at Kyunghee University)
- Ho-Sup Song (Clarinet, Professor at Chugye University for the Arts)
- Rando Kim (Flute, Former Principal of the Chungnam Symphony Orchestra)
- Azusa Nakayama (Oboe, Ensemble of Tokyo)
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Main Programs
- Berliner Philharmoniker Soloists Concert
- Karajan-Akademie Woodwind Auditions
- Orchestra Academy
- Masterclasses & Lectures
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Festival Schedule & Application Information
· Dates : August 2 – August 8, 2025/p>
· Venue : Gwangju City Culture & Arts Center, Gyeonggi Province
· Application Period : March 17 – May 17, 2025