(posted by graduate composer Jonghee Kang)

One of the great things about participating in a music festival is that one directly experiences what is currently out there within the theme of the festival. That is why I always look for the opportunities to go, and this summer, I was lucky enough to go to the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium(OBFCS) held in Eugene, Oregon from June 30 to July 9.

Frankly, I had no idea what I would experience at the Symposium until I went to the registration in the morning of the first day. All the details and schedule of the Symposium were kept underground until the very first meeting. Maybe that was why I was more than stunned upon looking at the long line of people at the registration. Before going to Oregon, I imagined what it would be like there - Maybe be 10 to 20 composers (I received some group emails from the Symposium, and assumed the numbers based on them)? Or less than 10? Crazy discussions about modern music all day long (Would I be still alive then)? Concerts every night (because it is part of a “festival”)? …And here is a brief description of what happened during the 10 days: About 80 composers from undergrads to college professors participated. 4 full days of reading sessions followed by series of new music concerts. 3 days of gamelan workshops for a concert performance. Improvisation concerts around midnight. Beer and talk every night. Yes, it was intense, both physically and spiritually. But that’s somewhat expected when going to a summer camp/school/festival, and I am always excited by this sort of musically stimulating package. (Well… I guess it was up to me whether I would be sitting in all the reading sessions and concerts or having my own time in my dorm room…) Anyhow, I'm going to present my 10 day jouney to the OBFCS09 by posting pictures (a lot of them) and adding comments to them.