Messiah Orchestra Hope Concert Commemorates 60th Anniversary of the Church of God

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the Church of God organized a Messiah Orchestra Hope Concert in the Republic of Korea on September 22, following similar events in Peru and the United States as part of its ongoing Hope Challenge. The concert aimed to unite individuals from diverse backgrounds through music, conveying hope to a global community grappling with challenges such as the climate crisis and economic hardships. The event was held at the Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center, renowned for its exceptional architectural acoustics. Approximately 1,200 attendees participated, including National Assembly members, professors, legal professionals, journalists, and diplomats from Peru, Honduras, Mongolia, and other nations, alongside local members from the metropolitan area.

The main event commenced around 4 p.m. In his opening address, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized that as the Church of God celebrates its 60th anniversary, it is not merely a time to commemorate past achievements. “We are committed to promoting social and personal change through the teachings of Christ and the love of Mother, while striving for spiritual freedom and truth,” he stated. He further expressed his hope that this concert would serve as a platform for global solidarity through music.

The Messiah Orchestra commenced the concert with the “Coronation March” from the opera The Prophet. The performance featured a captivating lineup of eight dynamic pieces, including the memorable melodies of “Overture” from Bizet’s Carmen and Strauss II’s Thunder and Lightning Polka, which vividly illustrated thunder through the use of large drums and cymbals. The concert also presented the powerful trombone passages in “Finale” from Rossini’s William Tell. Each piece was characterized by a fast tempo and intense melodies, creating a lasting impression on the audience.

The Church of God Choir, consisting of 110 members, delivered a powerful performance of “Hallelujah” from the oratorio Messiah and the “Chorus of Hebrew Slaves” from the opera Nabucco. Their grand and rich harmonies captivated the audience. The ensemble also garnered enthusiastic applause for their renditions of “When You Believe” from the animated film The Prince of Egypt, “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “Time to Say Goodbye.”

The addition of invited vocal performances further elevated the concert’s prestige. The popera group La Classé captivated the audience with their renditions of popular songs such as “You Raise Me Up” and “The Rose,” creating an enjoyable atmosphere. A female vocalist also delivered heartfelt solos of “Nella Fantasia” and “On the Day When the Wind Stays,” conveying the emotional lyrics with her clear and resonant voice.

The concert concluded with a powerful finale featuring all the performers. They wrapped up the two-hour event with the fusion traditional Korean music piece “Beautiful Country,” which celebrates the four seasons and the beauty of Korea, followed by the Barcelona Olympics theme song “Amigos Para Siempre” (Friends Forever). The audience responded with a standing ovation, offering enthusiastic applause in appreciation of the memorable performance.

As the audience exited the concert hall, many shared their heartfelt impressions of the experience. Ambassador of Peru to Republic of Korea H.E. Paul Duclós stated, “Music is the best way to convey hope. I sincerely congratulate the Church of God for organizing this Hope Concert, which not only promotes the idea of sharing hope but also puts it into action.” Yang Dae-woong, a special professor at Seoul Media Institute of Technology, remarked, “Just as harmonious music arises from piano keys of different tones, our society can achieve unity by recognizing each other’s differences.” He praised the concert for its role in fostering global harmony. Former Goyang Mayor Lee Jae-jun added, “Witnessing such a meaningful performance may inspire citizens to contribute to society through volunteering.”

The Church of God aims to further its mission of transforming the global community into a haven of love and peace. This initiative will extend beyond concerts to include the Hope Challenge, actively organized by members worldwide in partnership with local citizens.

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