It has been said that playing an instrument as a child is the greatest predictor of concert attendance as an adult. I can relate because I started taking piano lessons when I was eight and I continued learning for 10 years. I took piano exams through the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music almost every year and I was one exam away from obtaining my Diploma in Instrumental Teaching. I also performed in many recitals as a kid. Unlike many Asian kids who were forced to learn an instrument, I actually suggested to my parents I wanted to learn how to play the piano. To be honest, playing the piano was fun at first, but it got to the point where it felt like I was only learning to pass the exams and not for enjoyment. Nowadays, I still listen to Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, etc. and occasionally attend orchestral concerts.

It is a little ironic how many Asian parents force their children to learn an instrument as a child but not let them pursue music as a career. Learning an instrument is just another extracurricular activity to make one stand out from one’s classmates when it is time to apply for college. In many Asian countries, being competent in an instrument is a marker for success. Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, talks about her threatening her daughter during piano practice: “If the next time’s not perfect, I’m going to take all your stuffed animals and burn them!”

Although most Asian Americans do not choose music as their career, many top orchestras today such as the New York Philharmonic are made up of 20% of Asian Americans. Even though more and more Asian Americans are deciding to pursue a career in music and even learning an instrument, the financial state of orchestras is declining. In 2008, less than 10% of adults in the United States said they attended an orchestra. Every year, orchestras are praying that at least some people will still continue to go to orchestra symphonies. Even though ticket sales are dropping, there is one group that still likes classical music and even pay to go to orchestras—Asians. In Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan, classical music is still an aspirational totem. It is kind of funny how traditional Western music is most kept alive in Eastern countries today. The only people left keeping classical music alive are Asian Americans and older adults. Eventually if classical music does die off in Western countries, it might be still be kept alive in parts of Asia.

[Photo Credit: renochamberochestra.org]

And for your musical interlude of the day, we bring you a group of accordion players from North Korea’s Kum Song School performing the 80′s hit, “Take On Me” by a-ha. (In case you were wondering, they’re still sobbing over the death of Kim Jong-Il on the inside.)

(Also, I didn’t know they listened to a-ha in North Korea. Did you?)

(And they have accordions there, too? Crazy.)

After hearing so many wonderful things about him, and listening to his albums, I felt I had a great opportunity to interview him:

Who are your musical influences for your work?

Certainly my parents (both parents). My dad used to practice with my brother and I every single day when we started out on the violin. This built a solid foundation to build on. Some of my other influences would be Gordon Stout (Marimba), Leigh Howard Stevens (Marimba), Vladimir Horowitz (Piano) and Itzhak Perlman (Violin) for performance. Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Walter Mays and Igor Stravinsky for composition.

What was the first instrument you learned and when?

Violin from age 4 (1978ish) to age 12.

Did you ever have any desire to to pursue the stereotypical Asian/Korean occupation of engineering/medicine?

No, even though there are many doctors on my mother’s side. Grandfather, uncle and my brother are all MD’s. I don’t think I ever had the brains for those fields.

What are you favorite bands and musicians?

See list of performers above for soloists. Also, James Brown, “the hardest working man in show business!” My favorite bands are “Squirrel Nut Zippers” and “The Doors.”

Did you face any struggles or barriers as you pursued this field?

Plenty, it took me four years and 30 rejection letters to finally land a job! I freelanced in Wichita, KS for four years and took adjunct jobs at schools that were literally five hours from my home. Lots of driving!!!

Any advice for future musicians?

Practice very hard while you are a student. Once real life starts, there is no more time and every one who did practice relentless hours as students will be so far ahead of you in skill that you will likely never catch up. Also, take every gig seriously. You never know who is listening. My first CD was a result of a gentleman hearing me play marimba in a bar in Wichita, KS. Also, do what you can to stay in the business after your education. You may not land your dream job right away, but there are ways that you can find to make a living as a musician, you just have to a be little inventive at times.

More information can be found on his Indiana University faculty page.

Oh man, remember when we started posting about the token Asian American contestants on American Idol when people regularly watched the show? Yeah, I don’t either. But hey, why break the trend now?

This years rumored American Idol 11 Semi-Finalist – rumored, because his audition episode just aired, but spoiler websites have revealed he makes the Top 42 semi-finalists – comes in the form of Heejun Han, a 24 year old non-profit organizer from Flushing, New York. He’s quirky like William Hung, but he’s funny in a deadpan way and wears one of those beanies with a brim which means he’s about a thousand times cooler! And he also belts out a mean Michael Bolton!

Here’s to Heejun making it far in the competition! And if not, no worries: he could always go the way of John Park, an early Idol bootee from two years ago only to become the runner-up on a similar show in Korea, Superstar K2.

(Hat tip: Rickey)

From the 8Asians Suggestion Box: “I’m Carmen, the co-creator/writer of Prison Dancer: The Interactive Web Musical. [...] Beyond being part of the ‘Filipino Youtube’ movement, Prison Dancer is a story inspired by Filipinos – created by Filipinos – and ACTED by Filipinos. Not to say this is exclusionist of any other Asians but as a former cast member of Miss Saigon (I’m Filipina), I can say I appreciate that we’re actually portraying ourselves this time! Also, this is one of the first post-Dr. Horrible “made for web” musical web-series, and when we launch in March, each of the twelve episodes will include interactive/user engagement elements. Ultimately, we’re aiming to produce as a staged theatre production, but we’re very excited to have something that can be shared/seen by everyone – even those who can’t attend/afford the luxury of a sit-down theatre show.”

Carmen, you had us at “Prison Dancer: The Interactive Web Musical.” And astute readers will recognize Mikey Bustos, a superstar in Canada and the Philippines but to Americans more commonly known as “that guy who did the Filipino accent tutorial on the Internet.

Earlier this past week, CBS aired the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors celebration, which took place earlier in December. Yo-Yo Ma was one of the six honorees, which included singer Barbara Cook, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins, and actress Meryl Streep. I think it goes without saying that when one thinks of a great cellist, one thinks of Yo-Yo Ma. The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. Congratulations to Ma on a well deserved honor!

UPDATE: Congrats to our winners: Zareen, Mina Itabashi, and nikki!

This is part of 8Asians’ 2011 “8Days of Giveaways” Celebration.

Brought together in 2010, Aziatix is a new Asian American music group which features three members: Eddie Shin, Flowsik, and Nicky Lee. The group released their first album, Nocturnal, this year. The album received high praise, and their first self-titled EP climbed to the top of the music charts in both Korea and Taiwan.

Nocturnal, which we reviewed this past summer, is an amazingly heartfelt fusion of R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop. It features achingly beautiful songs like “Go”, “Cold” and “Slippin’ Away”.

Over at GASP!, after hearing the CD we were happy to say that “if you haven’t checked them out yet, start with their new acoustic version of Go–your ears (and eyes) will thank you.”

Aziatix is giving three lucky 8Asians readers a chance to win a copy of their album!

Ok, ok, so you you’re ready to enter? Read on!

What you could win from 8Asians and ECHOforward?
Three (3) random winners will each receive a copy of Aziatix’s Nocturnal album, which displays their amazingly heartfelt fusion of R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop.

Hurry, this contest closes soon!
One entry per person, please.

How do you enter?
1) Like the 8Asians Facebook Page!

2) Like the Aziatix Facebook page!

3) Fill out the form below:

Why do I have to fill out this form? We’re just trying to capture all the info needed to fulfill the prizes faster.

Can I enter more than once? No! Why you being so greedy?!

Prizes courtesy of: 8Asians.com and ECHOforward.