ⓒLee Jong Sam

From an ornate wind instrument called a saenghwang to a zither-like behemoth called a gayageum, nine-member Korean band Ak Dan Gwang Chil, or ADG7, pairs the traditional tools of their country’s folk music and sacred tunes with three singers and a panoply of percussion. ADG7 taps multiple traditions of Korean music, drawing on the songbooks of what is now the Hwanghae province. But the music they make is unapologetically and enthusiastically modern, with magnetic hooks delivered by colorfully clad singers who bound around the stage.

Theatrically minded, ADG7 mirrors that anachronistic fusion of sounds visually, creating frisson by allowing the sight of old traditions to brush against the sound of contemporary exuberance. In 2021-22, ADG7 will share their magic with K-12 students in Prince George's County Public Schools via livestreamed demos and performances. They will also visit ethnomusicology students in the UMD School of Music and host a dinner with community members who perform in Korean ensembles. Time spent with this group is a musical celebration unlike any you’ve ever experienced!