Named to honor the memory of Miss Ima Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, the Ima Hogg Competition is open to young musicians between the ages of 13 and 30 who play standard orchestral instruments or piano. Through the support of the Houston Symphony League since 1976, the Competition provides performance opportunities for aspiring musicians ages 13-30.
The 2013 semifinal round will take place on Thursday, May 30 at Stude Concert Hall at the Shepherd School of Music of Rice University. Ten semifinalists will perform two concertos with piano accompaniment. At the conclusion of the semifinals, four finalists will be selected to perform one concerto with the Houston Symphony at the Finals Concert on Saturday, June 1. The first place winner will then perform with the Houston Symphony at the Houston Chronicle Concert on July 13, 2013 as part of the 2013 Day of Music; the second place winner will perform with the Houston Symphony at Miller Theatre on June 29, 2013.
Our Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, Allison Conlan, had the chance to post some questions to our semifinalists. Their insightful answers can be found on this very blog!
Learn a little more about contestant number 3: Min Jung Kim, Piano
Allison Conlan: At what age did you begin playing your instrument?
Min Jung Kim: At the age of six.
AC: Do you come from a musical family?
MJK: I was born in Seoul, South Korea and came to the US to get Masters and Doctoral degrees in Piano Performance.
My mother, who is a real classical music lover, always wanted to have a beautiful classical musician in our family. So, when she was pregnant, she took many many private piano lessons and went to a variety of musical concerts. I believe it certainly affected my subconscious and longing desires to pursue my musical career. My father has been always a huge support for my dream of being a classical musician. When I was a kid, He took me literally everywhere if there was music I loved.
AC: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
MJK: Cooking for my husband. After marriage, my husband has always been the first victim of my adventurous cooking experiments. He is still alive in a good shape, which means I am feeding him real good foods.
AC: What has been your most exciting event in your musical career?
MJK: Playing Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 with Indiana University Chamber Orchestra – It was my first experience playing with an orchestra. I felt thrilled when I, the orchestra, and audience communicated and made beautiful sound together. It was unforgettable experience.
AC: Do you have any pre-performance habits/rituals?
MJK: I always drink only grape juice, not any other flavors like orange, mango, or the like. I always have only a half of banana before performance and the rest in the intermission.
AC: Who are some of your most profound influences?
MJK: Mr. Shigeo Neriki (Faculty at the Indiana University – Bloomington), Ms. Lydia Artymiw (Faculty at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities) – They are definitely my inspirations for my music as well as mentors.
AC: Favorite TV shows, sports teams, food and city?
MJK: 24, Lost – Huge fan of mystery stories (I have read literally all the stories by Agatha Christie)
Love Korean foods (‘samgyupsal’ – Korean style pork belly) and Sasimi
City: Mauritius in Africa (went there on honeymoon) – Mauritius is actually a country of a small but amazingly beautiful island.
AC: Explain your personality/life in a 6 word sentence:
MJK: “Found love, married him, it’s cool” or “Found love, married him, never-ending stories” – I am a newlywed having gotten married last year. We met in grad school at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota gave me lots of things.
Don’t miss the semifinals performances on May 30, and the finals concert on June 1!
