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
Moranbong District, Pyongyang, is conducting the intensive medical examination of those with fever more thoroughly. The district
May 19, 2022
Moranbong District, Pyongyang, is conducting the intensive medical examination of those with fever more thoroughly. The district
The state top emergency incident has occurred: a breach has been made on the emergency infectious disease prevention front that ha
May 19, 2022
The state top emergency incident has occurred: a breach has been made on the emergency infectious disease prevention front that ha
While state emergency measures are being taken day after day to quickly control the spread of the infectious disease in the
May 19, 2022
While state emergency measures are being taken day after day to quickly control the spread of the infectious disease in the
The Wonsan Tractor Parts Factory increases production by building up its sci-tech force. The factory scrupulously organized
May 19, 2022
The Wonsan Tractor Parts Factory increases production by building up its sci-tech force. The factory scrupulously organized
The Unjong Taehung Scientific Research Institute developed a precious metal leaching agent using locally available raw materials.
May 19, 2022
The Unjong Taehung Scientific Research Institute developed a precious metal leaching agent using locally available raw materials.
New modern houses were completed in succession in the DPRK to take in their owners in April this year. Those are none other than
May 19, 2022
New modern houses were completed in succession in the DPRK to take in their owners in April this year. Those are none other than
North Phyongan Province is organizing and implementing all work promptly and correctly in line with the top emergency
May 19, 2022
North Phyongan Province is organizing and implementing all work promptly and correctly in line with the top emergency
General Secretary Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Jo Pong Son living in neighbourhood unit No. 5-2 in Kachang-ri of Sohung
May 19, 2022
General Secretary Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Jo Pong Son living in neighbourhood unit No. 5-2 in Kachang-ri of Sohung
The officinal medicines the family of General Secretary Kim Jong Un had prepared earnestly praying for the return of peace and
May 19, 2022
The officinal medicines the family of General Secretary Kim Jong Un had prepared earnestly praying for the return of peace and
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex boosts production by encouraging mass technical innovation drive. “We’ve considered the mass
May 18, 2022
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex boosts production by encouraging mass technical innovation drive. “We’ve considered the mass
Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh called for actively planting trees on May 14. He stressed that all families, institutions
May 18, 2022
Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh called for actively planting trees on May 14. He stressed that all families, institutions
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry censured Japan and EU for interfering in the internal affairs of China at a routine
May 18, 2022
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry censured Japan and EU for interfering in the internal affairs of China at a routine
Surgeons of the cardiovascular surgical department at the Okryu Children’s Hospital have made remarkable successes in
May 18, 2022
Surgeons of the cardiovascular surgical department at the Okryu Children’s Hospital have made remarkable successes in
A meeting of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the office
May 18, 2022
A meeting of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the office
May Day was significantly commemorated in the DPRK. Officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the state visited factories,
May 18, 2022
May Day was significantly commemorated in the DPRK. Officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the state visited factories,
May 14 this year marked the 33rd anniversary of President Kim Il Sung’s meeting with Seyed Ali Khamenei, the then president of
May 18, 2022
May 14 this year marked the 33rd anniversary of President Kim Il Sung’s meeting with Seyed Ali Khamenei, the then president of
A proactive anti-epidemic campaign is going on in the DPRK by involving all the people in order to overcome the serious public
May 18, 2022
A proactive anti-epidemic campaign is going on in the DPRK by involving all the people in order to overcome the serious public
May 9 is a truly meaningful day for the Russian people. On May 9 1945, the Red Army of the former Soviet Union annihilated Nazi
May 17, 2022
May 9 is a truly meaningful day for the Russian people. On May 9 1945, the Red Army of the former Soviet Union annihilated Nazi
A meeting was held in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on May 10 in celebration of the 100th founding anniversary of the Young
May 17, 2022
A meeting was held in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on May 10 in celebration of the 100th founding anniversary of the Young
Kim Chaek University of Technology increases the bases for the production of high-tech products which will be conducive to
May 17, 2022
Kim Chaek University of Technology increases the bases for the production of high-tech products which will be conducive to
More Articles
