The 4th International Kodály – A Cappella Festival (IKAF) was successfully held on May 30 in Seoul, bringing together 19 vocal ensembles from seven countries, combining classical, sacred, and K-pop a cappella performances, the festival served not only as an international competition but also as a platform for music education, cultural exchange, and friendship.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Voice Toy, while top honors in the Classical, Sacred Music, and K-pop categories recognized outstanding ensembles from Korea. The festival was made possible largely through the dedication of volunteers and donations from music supporters, reflecting the spirit of community and the belief that music connects people.

Seoul Kodály Singers, the resident choir of the Korean Kodály Society, presents major choral masterpieces by Zoltán Kodály in Korea each year while celebrating the values of faith, national identity, and community through Korean art songs.

At its 22nd Annual Concert on September 1 at Youngsan Art Hall, the choir will present the Korean premiere of Franz Liszt’s late masterpiece Via Crucis. The program also features Kodály’s Pange Lingua and Ave Maria, highlighting the spiritual depth and artistic beauty of Hungarian choral music.

The concert concludes beloved Korean art songs, including The Pioneer, I Shall Live in the Green Mountain, Barley Field, Longing for Geumgang Mountain, Is My Beloved Coming?, and To the Land of Hope. Performed by soloists, choir, and audience together, these songs celebrate Korea’s history, hope, and shared cultural heritage.

Seoul, Singing with the World is a participatory outdoor music festival organized by the Korean Kodály Society as part of the Seoul Citizen Partnership Program. The festival will be held from August 21 to 23 at Namsan Park, Yeouido Hangang Park, and Cheonggyecheon Plaza, inviting both Seoul citizens and international visitors to share music together.

Moving beyond a performance to watch, the festival encourages everyone to sing, clap, and experience music together regardless of language or nationality. The program features a cappella arrangements of classical masterpieces, Korean art songs, K-pop medleys, and traditional Korean music performed with haegeum and gayageum. Audience members will also join in humming, singing Korean songs, and experiencing traditional rhythms. The festival concludes with performers and audience singing “Hollo Arirang” together, reflecting Zoltán Kodály’s belief that “Music belongs to everybody.”