FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Voices of Korea to perform at Bates

LEWISTON, Maine -- Voices of Korea, a 12-member ensemble specializing in religious, court and folk songs from North and South Korea, will perform at Bates College on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

In contrast to the sublime ritual of Korean court music that emphasizes universal realities over personal expression, Korean folk styles, such as the "pansori" and "minyo" celebrate the natural cycles of harvest, festivals and fertility as well as the joys and sorrows of birth and death. Korean religious songs serve to calm the mind and feature ritualized chants that are sung in praise of Buddha.

The concert is made possible through the assistance of the Wolhwa Foundation of Seoul, South Korea, the Korean Ministry of Culture and the Korean Performing Arts Institute Inc.