| “A stage of new challenges, GMF in USA!” – Mother of Bryan Park
 

Clarinetist Bryan Park (1st from the left) of Orchestra SOOP, a performance group for the developmentally disabled.

My son Bryan was a child who danced, sang, and was full of excitement when music was played since he was a child. When he was diagnosed with autism and was unable to speak, I sincerely hoped that music would become his friend and a channel for him to communicate with others.

Bryan began learning several instruments at the age of six including piano, ukulele, guitar, drums, and clarinet. For 18-year-old Bryan, music has become his best friend who comforts him through thick and thin. Now, Bryan is working as a clarinetist in Orchestra SOOP, an orchestra comprised of people with developmental disabilities.

The Great Music Festival (GMF), a music festival for people with developmental disabilities, was held in the United States for the first time in October 2023. It gave Bryan the opportunity to take on a new challenge along with a moving and thrilling experience.

Through the GMF challenge, Bryan gained confidence that could do anything and grew further as a musician as he experienced the process of three musicians coming together to form one harmony. Starting with this GMF in USA, I hope that Bryan will grow little by little and become a great performer who can go out into the world and comfort those who are struggling or sick through the medium of music.

We would like to thank everyone at SK Innovation for supporting us to participate in this meaningful event. I hope that good opportunities like these will continue to be created in the future and that our society will become a society where more people can be happy.

– Mother of Bryan Park
 
 
| “A stage of new challenges, GMF in USA!” – Mother of Sung-ho An

Sunshine Boys member, Sung-ho An (1st from the right), stands on stage with his fellow member, Jong-bin Hahn (1st from the left), at ‘GMF in USA’ held in Atlanta, USA on
October 15 (local time).

Twenty-five-year-old Sung-ho is a member of the Sunshine Boys who participated in GMF in USA 2023 and has Down syndrome.

For the past few years, schools and daycare centers were closed due to the COVID-19, so Sung-ho had to spend the daytime alone at home. Due to the sudden situation, my husband and I were unable to quit our jobs, so we had to leave Sung-ho alone while we worked, which always made us feel anxious.

Then, I found out about Orchestra SOOP, an orchestra for the developmentally disabled. When we heard that a teacher would visit the house and give music lessons, we decided to reduce the amount of time Sung-ho was alone, so without much expectation, I decided to have Sung-ho start playing the violin. In fact, the first words I said to the teacher was, “Is this going to work?” as I was in disbelief.

One day, while Sung-ho had violin lessons, his teacher sent me a video while I was at work. I opened it with a feeling of ‘what is this’, and I saw my son playing the violin, albeit a bit awkwardly. My heart slightly broke as I watched the video.

However, that’s how Sung-ho began playing the violin and why I think we were very fortunate to attend this GMF, a festival for people with developmental disabilities. Our family experienced deep emotions through this GMF.

I was thrilled and grateful that my son could stand on a stage like this. In addition, I was able to witness the joy and delight reactions of many people as they watched other children perform, including my son. It made me feel more proud of Sung-ho and it gave me faith and hope that he could do anything.

I felt like this GMF was a great result of our hard-working lives raising children. We would like to thank Executive Director of The SOOP John C. Kim, Orchestra SOOP Conductor Jung Mi-kyung, and all those involved in planning and preparing GMF in USA.

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to SK Innovation for giving our children the opportunity to communicate with a wider world. We hope that SK Innovation’s good intentions will become a beacon of hope for more people.

– Mother of Sung-ho An
 
 
| “Oh my sunshine!” – Mother of Sunshine Boys member Jong-bin Hahn
 

Jong-bin Hahn (1st from the left) of Sunshine Boys is taking a commemorative photo after receiving an award at GMF in USA held in Atlanta, USA on October 15 (local time).

Jong-bin is a 27 year-old autistic young man who was a child prodigy. By the age of 2, he could write the alphabet, and at 3, he memorized directions and sketched the Eiffel Tower, the iconic symbol of a franchise bakery. He was such a gentle child that his nickname was ‘My lord.’

We realized that our child was different from others when Jong-bin was four years old. That was because his vocabulary was limited to just two words—mom and dad. He also had a fixation on car wheels and trains, developing a strong aversion to anything that underwent change, and exhibiting signs of stubbornness.

Following a diagnosis of autism in Korea, we embarked on a journey that led us to the United States, seeking speech and psychological therapy for Jong-bin.

His introduction to music and the violin occurred at the age of 6, initially pursued as a means to assist with his autism. Initially successful, he abruptly abandoned the violin after six months when learning how to transition from the A-string to the E-string. His difficulty to accept change was becoming more and more apparent, so my family and I just gave up.

Fast forward 20 years, with the inception of Orchestra SOOP, an orchestra for the developmentally disabled, he rediscovered his passion for playing the violin. What unfolded from this moment onward can only be described as a time of miracles. Every single day, my son would engage in dedicated violin practice. Following his morning routine of a meal and a walk, around 9 a.m., the captivating melodies of the violin would drift down from the second floor. My son, diligently working on the assignments given by his violin teacher, set the emotional tone for my day with the harmonious sounds of the violin.

He showcased his musical talents in various venues, earning applause. He also performed with the Sunshine Boys as an ensemble at GMF in USA that was held in the US for the first time this year. The melody of “Oh my sunshine” has become a familiar tune, as he played it more than a hundred times.

Witnessing Jong-bin’s vibrant performance filled me with pride, and the congratulatory words from those around us affirm the pride I felt of raising him well. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to SK for facilitating all these experiences.

My hope is that Jong-bin will continue to nurture his love for music, persist in playing the violin, and find lasting happiness in the journey ahead.

– Mother of Sunshine Boys member Jong-bin Hahn
 
 
| “Illuminating a bright future for the entire universe, GMF in USA” – Joshua Han, member of Sunshine Boys
 

Joshua Han (right) of Sunshine Boys is being interviewed on the stage of GMF in USA 2023 held in Atlanta, USA On October 15 (local time).

Hello, my name is Joshua Han. I’m a happy and positive person who loves creating animations with the inspirations in my surroundings. That’s why when I grow up, I want to be an animator or someone who produces TV shows or movies.

When I first learned the viola as a hobby and played in an orchestra, my arms ached and it was difficult, so it made me irritated quite often. However, I think that as I continue to be persistent, I can improve my skills.

This time around, I played the viola as a member of Sunshine Boys at GMF, a music festival that is sponsored by SK Innovation and SK On. Although it was challenging, I think it was a great experience. As someone with autism, I think I can grow further through these experiences by making plans, supporting my members, and focusing on playing the viola.

– Joshua Han, member of Sunshine Boys
 
 
| A letter from Annandale Village
 

Rhythm Risers, a band for the disabled from Annandale Village, is taking a commemorative photo after receiving an award at GMF in USA 2023 held in Atlanta, USA
on October 15 (local time).

Annandale Village was so grateful for the opportunity to have performers in the Great Music Festival this year. When we were contacted about the opportunity to apply, the Rhythm Risers were very enthusiastic about the idea of performing. The Rhythm Risers had been rehearsing once a week for over six months to perform Free Bird at Annandale. Once we were accepted, we started rehearsing twice a week until the performance. The Rhythm Risers rehearsed with Jordyn Nesbitt the Music Therapist present. Jordyn supported the band by playing chords on the keyboard to assist the group in staying together, supported Kirk with vocals in certain parts of the song, called out chords for Darla (guitarist) when needed, counted the group in and snapped a steady beat for Dylan (drummer.) Darla would rehearse her part independently every day in the music studio. Kirk used his air pods to listen to the song independently to become more comfortable with the lyrics. As a group, we decided to change a few words to simplify the lyrics for Kirk. The Rhythm Risers had an opportunity to perform “Free Bird” at Annandale’s Family Weekend the month prior to the Great Music Festival. It was great to have a run through performance and to have family and friends support them.

James Offenhartz, a disabled performer from Annandale Village, is taking a commemorative photo after receiving an award at GMF in USA 2023 held in Atlanta, USA
on October 15 (local time).

James was ecstatic when the festival opened up to individuals. James practiced his drum piece independently in the music studio approximately five days a week for many months. James has had drum lessons in the past and continues to practice what he was taught and uses music books to help him in his practice. James also enjoys listening to recordings of the pieces he learns through headphones while he practices. James utilizes videos of performances and instruction to help him in independent learning as well. Research is one of James’ hobbies so he enjoys learning new things and finding answers to his questions through various routes.

James and the Rhythm Risers were so excited and honored to perform at the Great Music Festival and were honored to raise money to go towards the Music Program at Annandale Village. As a group, we discussed putting some of the money towards soundproofing equipment for our music studios, protective cases for guitars and keyboards, and drum pads. We also used some of the money to celebrate the day after the performance and went out to eat together. I am so very proud of the hard work that these individuals put in for this event and I am thankful for each person who was involved in facilitating this event. I look forward to many Great Music Festivals to come.

With Gratitude,

Annandale Village