A teacher trains schoolgirls to perform oungum ensemble.
Wasan Technical Senior Middle School in Sosong District, Pyongyang, is noted for playing well oungum, four-stringed Korean instrument.
“Oungum is one of the new national string instruments, which was made to meet the aesthetic sense of the times, while preserving well the character of timbre peculiar to national instruments of Korea in 1962. We have long put efforts into teaching how to play oungum in order to implant national sentiment into the hearts of coming generations and inherit and develop national music,” said Pak Son Hui, teacher of the artistic group.
The sound box of oungum is in the shape of bottle gourd and the decoration of head looks like a rod-like hairpin, which was favoured by the Korean women, stuck in hair.
Its timbre is clear and soft and any kinds of melodies can be played by applying tremolo and thrumming.
The national instrument is used to play solo, ensemble, concert, and solo and ensemble.
The school helps students have a deep understanding of the musical instrument, keep a correct playing posture and perform it while preserving the tone and sound peculiar to the instrument.
It also encourages students to enrich their artistry as players of the national instrument through constant practices and channels efforts into the education in vocal music so that they can flawlessly play even solo and ensemble.
The school made its debut in the artistic festival of schoolchildren throughout the country in 2000 with an ensemble of oungum and won high appraisal. The school has so far dominated the competition and taken part in the New Year’s performance of schoolchildren every year since some years ago.
Many members of the group who finished the school enrolled at Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun University of Music and Pyongyang Teachers Training College thanks to their high artistry and some of them are active as players of national instruments at different art troupes.
“The number of students who want to learn how to play national instruments is on the increase from year to year. We’ll continue to carry on the tradition of our school by promoting the education in national instruments,” said Pak Son Hui.
More From Pyongyang Times
A delegation of the DPRK Ministry of External Economic Relations led by Minister Yun Jong Ho left Pyongyang by air on April 23 to
April 25, 2024
A delegation of the DPRK Ministry of External Economic Relations led by Minister Yun Jong Ho left Pyongyang by air on April 23 to
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against the US military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
April 25, 2024
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against the US military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
The DPRK health delegation led by Jong Mu Rim, minister of Public Health, returned home by air on April 23 after visiting Russia.
April 25, 2024
The DPRK health delegation led by Jong Mu Rim, minister of Public Health, returned home by air on April 23 after visiting Russia.
The anti-Japanese armed struggle was a revolutionary war to defeat Japanese imperialism and achieve the cause of Korea’s
April 25, 2024
The anti-Japanese armed struggle was a revolutionary war to defeat Japanese imperialism and achieve the cause of Korea’s
The first revolutionary armed forces in Korean history were founded on April 25 1932. In order to defend the dignity of the nation
April 25, 2024
The first revolutionary armed forces in Korean history were founded on April 25 1932. In order to defend the dignity of the nation
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, in an interview with the Warpa News Agency on April 20, condemned the US for its unreasonable
April 25, 2024
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, in an interview with the Warpa News Agency on April 20, condemned the US for its unreasonable
The idea of “The people are God” and devoted service for the good of the people are the foundation of all lines and policies of th
April 25, 2024
The idea of “The people are God” and devoted service for the good of the people are the foundation of all lines and policies of th
The participants in the second workshop of officials in the field of information work of the Workers' Party of Korea conducted
April 25, 2024
The participants in the second workshop of officials in the field of information work of the Workers' Party of Korea conducted
The Spring National Footwear Exhibition-2024 opened in Pyongyang under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Light Industry.
April 25, 2024
The Spring National Footwear Exhibition-2024 opened in Pyongyang under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Light Industry.
Sea Kumgang Gate is situated about 20 kilometres away from the county town of Kosong in Kangwon Province.The area abounds with fis
April 24, 2024
Sea Kumgang Gate is situated about 20 kilometres away from the county town of Kosong in Kangwon Province.The area abounds with fis
A delegation of the Moscow Zoo of Russia led by Director Svetlana Akulova arrived in Pyongyang by plane on April 22.
April 24, 2024
A delegation of the Moscow Zoo of Russia led by Director Svetlana Akulova arrived in Pyongyang by plane on April 22.
The 2024 Asian wrestling Olympic qualification tournament took place in Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21. Choe Hyo Gyong, Mun Hyon
April 24, 2024
The 2024 Asian wrestling Olympic qualification tournament took place in Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21. Choe Hyo Gyong, Mun Hyon
In his speech to mark the 214th anniversary of the start of struggle for national independence on April 19, the Venezuelan vice
April 24, 2024
In his speech to mark the 214th anniversary of the start of struggle for national independence on April 19, the Venezuelan vice
The Russian permanent representative to the UN censured the US for protecting Israel in the UN Security Council meeting concerning
April 24, 2024
The Russian permanent representative to the UN censured the US for protecting Israel in the UN Security Council meeting concerning
Russian President Vladimir Putin advanced the task to be tackled by the public health sector in a congratulatory message sent to
April 24, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin advanced the task to be tackled by the public health sector in a congratulatory message sent to
The Japanese reactionaries visited the Yasukuni Shrine keeping the name tablets of war criminals to make offerings on April 21.
April 24, 2024
The Japanese reactionaries visited the Yasukuni Shrine keeping the name tablets of war criminals to make offerings on April 21.
Now, extreme weather conditions caused by global warming have unprecedentedly frequented the world, followed by continuous
April 24, 2024
Now, extreme weather conditions caused by global warming have unprecedentedly frequented the world, followed by continuous
Farmers moved into new dwelling houses in the villages of the Sangi Industrial Crop Farm of Kujang County, North Phyongan
April 24, 2024
Farmers moved into new dwelling houses in the villages of the Sangi Industrial Crop Farm of Kujang County, North Phyongan
The second workshop of officials in the field of information work of the Workers' Party of Korea took place at the People's Palace
April 24, 2024
The second workshop of officials in the field of information work of the Workers' Party of Korea took place at the People's Palace
Ahmed Abu al-Gheit, secretary general of the League of Arab States, on April 17 said that massacre committed by Israel should be
April 24, 2024
Ahmed Abu al-Gheit, secretary general of the League of Arab States, on April 17 said that massacre committed by Israel should be
More Articles