In the fall of 2009, the Young San Preservation Group will perform traditional pomp'ae 범패.  Derived from ancient Buddhist cermonies that were nearly lost to history, pomp'ae, literally "sacred chanting," is a Buddhist tradition of ritual chant that may be compared with Gregorian chant in the Western tradition of Christianity. It offers a rich milieu of complex vocal patters and pure, heavy tones intended to induce ruminative calm and faciliate spiritual growth. The Young San Preservation Group's singing will be accompanied by traditional Korean drums, cymbals and gongs as well as ritualized dance pieces known as chakpop 작법. In the entire Buddhist world, the sounds (pomp'ae 범패) and dances (chakpop 작법) of the Young San ceremony are unique to Korea and were nominated in 1973 for preservation as an Intangible Cultural Asset.

Tour Schedule:

October 8:    University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kennedy Theatre at 7:30pm (Honolulu, HI)

October 10:  Irvine Barclay Theatre, Cheng Hall at 8:00pm (Irvine, CA)

October 14:  Smithsonian Institution/George Washington University, Meyer Auditorium at 7:30pm (Washington, DC)

October 16:  Towson University, Stephens Hall Theatre at 8:00pm (Towson, MD)

For more information, please contact Jennifer Kim at The Korea Society at  (212) 759-7525, ext.309