South Korea's premier oboist Kyeong Ham, who serves as Principal Oboist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, recently completed a highly successful debut tour of South Africa in October, enchanting audiences across the country with his exceptional artistry. The Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa sponsored the comprehensive week-long cultural exchange program, which ran from October 12-19 and featured performances in four major cities: Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.
Ham, a distinguished graduate of the Hanns Eisler Hochschule für Musik Berlin, has established himself as one of Korea's most accomplished woodwind musicians of his generation. His international career took off after securing top honors at several prestigious competitions, including the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the Muri International Oboe Competition in Switzerland, and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory International Woodwind Competition in Moscow. Before joining the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, he held principal positions with both the Hanover State Opera Orchestra and the world-renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam. Currently, in addition to his orchestral duties, Ham serves as a faculty member at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
The tour launched with a memorable performance at Woordfees in Stellenbosch, South Africa's celebrated multidisciplinary arts festival. Ham presented an engaging program that showcased works by classical masters Bellini and Stravinsky, alongside a specially arranged version of "Arirang," Korea's most beloved traditional folk song. The following day, he reached an even broader audience through a live performance on RSG, a national radio station operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, broadcasting to over one million listeners nationwide.
Mid-week, Ham participated in the Korean Cultural Centre's popular "Music On Stage" concert series in Pretoria, further demonstrating his versatility as a performer. The tour reached its climactic conclusion with a collaborative performance alongside the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra at the SABC's M1 Auditorium in Johannesburg. This final concert proved to be particularly moving, with the audience responding with an enthusiastic standing ovation that reflected their deep appreciation for Ham's artistry.
Beyond his public performances, Ham dedicated significant time to nurturing South Africa's emerging musical talent through educational initiatives. He conducted comprehensive masterclasses at two of the country's leading institutions: the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. During these sessions, he provided students with hands-on instruction covering advanced oboe technique, musical phrasing, and artistic interpretation. Ham also shared valuable insights from his extensive experience as both an orchestral musician and solo performer, offering practical career guidance to aspiring musicians.
Reflecting on his inaugural visit to the African continent, Ham expressed genuine enthusiasm about the experience. "It was both exciting and humbling to perform here for the first time," he stated. "I felt a genuine connection with the audiences and musicians – it reminded me of why I love making music. I hope to return and continue building bridges through music across cultures."
This successful tour represents part of the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa's ongoing commitment to introducing exceptional Korean artists to South African audiences while fostering meaningful cultural exchange through classical music. The organization has previously presented acclaimed K-Classical tours featuring other distinguished Korean musicians, including pianist Yeon-Min Park, tenor Kyungho Kim, and cellist Gunwoo Park, each contributing to the growing appreciation for Korean classical music talent in South Africa.
