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The Third Student New Song Festival was held on July 12 at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. About 900 choir members from ten regional associations across Korea attended the event in person, while approximately 4,000 family members, friends, and others watched the festival via live broadcast from representative churches in each association.
At around 1 p.m., the festival opened with “All the Earth, Rejoice,” performed by the “Mother’s Star” Choir from the Daejeon-Chungcheong Association. The “Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Solomon” Choir from the Southern Gyeonggi Association, the “Gloria” Choir from the Seoul Gangnam Association, and other choirs followed with New Songs such as “I Want to Become a Good Tree” and “May No One Ever Feel Lonely.” After videos featuring the choirs’ rehearsals and the participating students’ determination were shown, the choir members, dressed in matching outfits, took their places and sang their first notes at the conductor’s cue. Their initial nervousness soon faded as each choir captivated audiences watching from afar with bright smiles and steady harmonies. Listening carefully to one another, the members blended their voices into rich four-part harmony.
At the representative churches, support for the choirs was equally enthusiastic. Family members and friends watched the performances holding handmade cheering signs and phones displaying messages of support, applauding enthusiastically after each performance to encourage the singers. Filled with laughter and cheers, the festival concluded on a warm and cheerful note with a mixed vocal ensemble performance.
The choirs participating in this year’s festival were selected through auditions held in early May. Over the next two months, they gathered once or twice a week to rehearse together. At first, the members focused mainly on their own voices, but through repeated rehearsals, they learned how to listen to one another and create harmony as a group. The beautiful harmonies that filled the stage were the culmination of two months of working and growing together.
Cho So-hyeon from Wonju, who took part in the New Song Festival for the second time, said, “I practiced every day with so much passion that I found myself wondering whether I had ever worked this hard at anything before. When the performance ended, I felt more proud of what we had accomplished than sad that it was over. Whatever I do in the future, I want to work hard until I achieve my goal and experience this same sense of accomplishment again.” Deacon Kim Jeong-hyeon from Daejeon, who watched his child through the live broadcast, said, “I had always thought my child was still little, so it was wonderful to see him practice so diligently on his own and work with the other students to support one another and make up for each other’s weaknesses. I hope this meaningful experience will inspire my child to pursue his dreams with an ‘I can do it’ mindset.”
Participant Interviews
“I tend to be quite shy, so I was worried about whether I would be able to fit in with so many different students. Instead, I naturally began to open up as I spent time with the outgoing and energetic brothers around me. Like the lyrics of the New Song, I want to become a good tree myself and bear good fruit, and I also want to develop a generous heart that can forgive a friend’s mistakes.” Heo Ju-hyeon, Busan — Choir Member, Bass
“During rehearsals, our section leader often emphasized that we needed to listen to the voices of others. I used to think that all I had to do was sing my own part well, but when I began making a conscious effort to listen to the sisters beside me, we were able to correct even the subtle places where our voices did not quite blend. I realized that in everyday life, I often talk about myself instead of really listening to my friends. For example, if a friend says she had malatang, instead of listening to the rest of her story, I might immediately say, ‘When I eat malatang, I like adding this and that to mine.’ As I gradually worked on changing that habit through choir rehearsals, my friends were really happy, and I was also able to understand them better. I want to become someone who listens to others and is considerate of them.” Kim Ye-rin, Ansan — Choir Member, Alto
“There were times when I easily misunderstood others because of something they said or did, and sometimes I found it difficult to let go of my own way of thinking. While participating in the choir, I saw the members in Zion encouraging and warmly supporting one another, and I learned to better understand the different personalities of those around me.” Son Seo-yun, Daegu — Choir Member, Soprano
“During choir rehearsals, looking after my friends and younger members gave me the courage to approach others first. Once I actually tried it, I realized it was not difficult at all, and it helped us become much closer. At school, I also approached a student who was sitting alone and started a conversation. I had worried that he might not like it, but instead, he was grateful and genuinely happy. I use AI apps a lot these days and get a great deal of help from them, but experiences like this are something you can only gain by going through them yourself. Remembering the meaningful experiences I have had in Zion, I want to become someone who reaches out first and shares warmth with those around me.” Kim Seon-yeop, Seoul — Choir Member, Tenor
“When I compare the first time the choir members tried singing in harmony right after the auditions with today’s performance, I can clearly see how much they have grown. At first, everyone was focused only on their own voices, but over time, they learned to blend together as a choir. I believe it was a valuable journey through which they learned consideration, selflessness, and empathy.” Shin Jong-gi, Busan — Conductor
“My daughter is a high school senior and had many concerns as graduation approached. After participating in the festival, she seemed to gain confidence and was able to make a clear decision about her future. I think this festival helped her grow into a more selfless person as she prepares to enter the wider world.” Jeong Gyeong-jin, Sejong — Parent
“I attended the festival at the suggestion of my son, a high school senior who loves the New Songs. He is spending his final summer as a teenager. I was grateful that we could make an unforgettable memory together during this special summer before the time comes for him to leave home, whether for university or military service.” Song Sun-bok, Daejeon — Parent
“Watching the event brought me comfort after a difficult first semester and gave me renewed strength. Listening to the beautiful voices made me feel as though my heart had been cleansed. Just as a choir creates harmony by understanding one another and working together, I want to spend the second semester trying to understand my friends first and get along well with them.” Kim Jae-na, Seongnam — Student
