Korean Percussionist To Perform For BCPS Students Online

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Korean percussionist Kim So Ra will perform and chat with Baltimore County Public Schools students Wednesday from 8:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. online. Students using Chromebooks can access the Zoom event.

Kim So Ra will be featured as part of the new Homefront: World Culture in Context initiative. This program connects students to renowned artists from across the globe performing in the places that have profoundly impacted their work, accompanied by virtual, live conversations about creativity, belonging and culture. The series was launched in November by the BCPS Office of Social Studies and Department of Career and Technical Education and Fine Arts and the Baltimore-based Creative Alliance.

The Feb. 17 event will introduce participants to Korean pungmul music, a folk percussion style that originated 2,000 years ago. Pungmul ensembles have been integral part of village life in Korea and are still found throughout the country. Most performances are outside with dozens of players in constant motion, drumming, twirling, dancing. It originally was played as part of farm work, on holidays and to accompany shamanistic rituals, the school district shared.