Seisen composer aims to help others feel the thrill of music

My goal as a musician is to make others feel the same thrill I experience through my love for music when they listen to my music.

Hwi Young Kim's concert band composition, One Thousand and One Nights - Silk Road, received an All-Star Award at the 2024 KPASS Composition Festival. Subsequently, her piece was premiered by the 2025 KPASS Honor Band on March 1st at the KPASS Honor Band & Orchestra Concert at St. Mary's on March 1st. Additionally, Hwi Young represented Seisen as a clarinetist in the 2025 KPASS Honor Band. 

She was recently accepted to:

• Tokyo College of Music
• Berklee School of Music
• Boston Conservatory in the Bachelor of Music program for Composition.

Full name and grade: Hwi Young Kim

Artistic passion: Composing, Clarinet

When did you start playing and writing music? What made you want to start playing and writing music?

I was first introduced to music at four when I began learning the piano. Influenced by my mother, who has a deep love for music, I grew up surrounded by various genres of music, such as rock, classical, pop, and jazz. Over time, I genuinely loved playing the piano, which I had started learning somewhat unknowingly as a child. Having played the piano for several years, I developed the ability to arrange and create accompaniments for my favorite pop songs without studying music theory. The experience of playing music from different genres on the piano made me eventually start to compose at the age of twelve. This was when I first dreamed of becoming a composer. 

2. What was your experience like to have your piece premiered by the KPASS Honor Band? 

The experience of having my piece premiered by the KPASS Honor Band was truly invaluable—one that will stay with me for the rest of my life as a musician. Hearing my own piece performed by the band felt like watching it finally come to life. As I continue my journey in music, I know there will be more opportunities for my piece to be performed, but this premiere is something I will never forget. In a way, the day of the 2025 Honor Band performance felt like my birthday as a musician.

3. What are your next goals as a musician? 

Music has been a constant presence in my life, without exception. Whether I’m performing on the clarinet in front of an audience, sitting at the piano making melodies, or listening to music that brings me comfort, I find myself overwhelmed with intense emotions—my heart races as if my joy could burst like fireworks. My goal as a musician is to make others feel the same thrill I experience through my love for music when they listen to my music. I will never stop learning and growing as a musician to achieve this goal.

Listen to Hwi Young Kim's concert band composition, One Thousand and One Nights - Silk Road.