Na Young-soo, 85, leader of Korean choral singing, dies

Na Young-soo [HANYANG UNIVERSITY]

Na Young-soo, a leading figure in Korean choral singing, died on Saturday. He was 85.

He was a founder of the National Chorus of Korea in 1973 and over the years established a reputation as the “godfather of Korean choir.”

Born in the Manchuria region of China in 1938, Na and his family moved to Korea in 1949. He graduated from Seoul National University’s department of vocal music, during his time at which he was also a founding member of the KBS Choir and conducted for a brief time. In 1962 he became a member of the Yegreen Choir, Korea’s first musical theater company.

Na later became both a professor and emeritus of vocal music at Hanyang University.

He developed over 600 choral songs and received a variety of accolades including presidential commendations.

Na is survived by his wife and children. The funeral is held at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]