GWINNETT DAILY POST
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026
Community Section
A Symphony Rises
NEXT CONCERT♦
Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. at Lawrenceville Lawn — The LSO will perform as part of a community America 250 th celebration.
♦ Expected on theplaylist: Music will be American traditional and patriotic, including a new commissioned work recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (New World), a rendition of “My Way” selections from “The Soundof Music,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
HOW TO HELP
Classical music lovers can help the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra by joining Conductor Park’s “Cup of Coffee a Month” campaign. Pledge $5 per month fora year ($60) and help the LSO reach its goal of 1,000members or $60,000.
Russian-born pianist Anna Keiserman was featured at the LSO concert in January. Performance credits include Le Poisson Rouge, Carnegie Hall, and the Fête de La Musique. She has toured through Italy, Spain and Russia. As a soloist she performed concerti with the Volgograd Symphony Orchestra (Russia), the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and the Somerset Symphony Orchestra, among others.
LSO strikes a chord with community
From the wings of the Lawrenceville Arts Center Grand Stage, conductor Pyeongkang Park waited as 46 professional musicians tuned and settled into place. The stage set, Park strode to the podium to applause from an audience of 400. He raised his baton and launched the orchestra into the world premiere of “The City of Lawrenceville,” an original composition. With those first strains of music, the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra was born. The date was Oct. 27, 2024, and the LSO has been regaling Gwinnett County audiences with symphonic sounds since. That premier, though, will always hold a special place in the heart of conductor Park. “While every performance I have been part of is precious, if I were asked which one holds a special place in my heart, that day would undoubtedly be one of the most unforgettable performances,” Park, who goes by P.K., said. That concert featured Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. “(It) famously begins with the ‘da-da-da-dum’ motif, of which Beethoven remarked, ‘Thus fate knocks at the door.’ In that same spirit, the LSO knocked on the doors of the City of Lawrenceville and its community members like a stroke of destiny,” Park, who speaks with a strong Korean accent, said during an hour-long interview with the Daily Post. He said the world premiere of “The City of Lawrenceville,” composed by Kenneth Park, was another particularly significant highlight. “We were also honored to have the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra Choir and Killian Hill Christian School Choir join us for this historic moment.” The debut concert of the LSO two years ago still resonates for the conductor. “Standing on that stage, my first feeling was one of deep gratitude to God. Beyond that, I felt an immense wave of thankfulness for the musicians, the choir members, the audience, and the venue staff who all made that moment possible. It was a stage overflowing with joy and a profound sense of fulfillment.”
NEXT ON THE PROGRAM
Since that beginning, the orchestra has been performing three or four concerts each year. Its next performance will be part of the local celebration of America’s 250th anniversary at the Lawrenceville Lawn at 8 p.m. Aug. 1. The playlist has not been finalized, but Park says the music will be American traditional and patriotic,
including a new commissioned work recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (New World), a rendition of “My Way” selections from “The Sound of Music,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” After that performance, the LSO will launch its new season in November a the Lawrenceville Arts Center, followed by a concert in February and again in May.
STANDING OUT IN A CROWD
Symphonic music fans have several options in this area. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra. Still, Park believes the LSO fills a niche. “In this area, there are those who really want, they thirst for, this music.” The LSO was “founded with a vision to connect cultures and create access to exceptional live music right here in Lawrenceville … LSO offers a platform for both emerging and established talent — especially drawing from the vibrant Korean-American musical community,” a statement on its website reads. LSO musicians — all paid professionals — come from wide geographies and backgrounds. Many crossed paths with Park during their respective musical journeys; several come from University of Georgia, where he studied for his doctorate degree. Other players come from Conyers, Winder, Bethlehem, Duluth and other areas of Georgia
The repertoire leans classical, but you’re also likely to hear Broadway hits, movie and Broadway classics and the occasional Disney tune. Gwinnett County resident and LSO cellist Jacob Guidi agrees the LSO is finding its place in the community’s entertainment spectrum. “There are other local orchestras across Gwinnett County, but in terms of something that’s embedded within Lawrenceville locally, there’s nothing like it. Dr. Park has been able to do a lot of good work in sustaining and growing the quality of our ensemble with little resources at first.”
FROM KOREA TO U.S.
The Korean-born conductor’s musical journey has been long — in both time and distance. Born in 1983 in Seoul, Park developed an early interest in listening to classical music, collecting between 200 and 300 CDs. It wasn’t until his ninth year of school that he picked up his first instrument — the trumpet. He studied music at Konkuk University in Seoul and discovered his goal was to conduct. “I began conducting during my university years and have led numerous concerts of all scales over the past two decades. However, the inaugural concert of my own organization … was an experience of overwhelming emotion,” Park said of the LSO’s debut. Park also had the opportunity to study under the first female conductor in Korea, Maestra KyungHee Kim. While he launched his musical career in Korea, America came calling
“I believe many, almost all musicians want to have the opportunity to study in the USA because in USA, classical music is very awesome,” Park said. Soon, he got his chance. After an audition in Seoul, Park was accepted into the master’s program at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He studied there before a full scholarship and stipend at Georgia State University lured him south. At GSU, he earned a masters of music and an artist certificate in orchestral conducting. From there, he enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Georgia where he served as assistant conductor to UGA Director of Orchestra Activities Mark Cedel. As assistant conductor he had the opportunity to conduct at least one piece at every UGA concert.
COMING TO LAWRENCEVILLE
During a spring break visit before moving to Georgia, PK and his family knew little about Gwinnett County. It was only later they discovered the county’s large Korean community. When looking for a place to live, they chose Lawrenceville. Park’s first concert came literally by accident. A car crash during his family’s drive to Georgia (his SUV’s engine was destroyed after rear-ending another car in South Carolina) resulted in a $6,000 insurance payout. After buying a used Kia Sedona for $1,500, he used $3,000 of the remaining payout — with his wife’s permission — to fund his first concert in the USA. It was an event at Salt and Light Presbyterian Church in Buford. He hired 15 or so musicians. That success gave him confidence to pursue more community-oriented concerts.
Today, the Lawrenceville resident teaches at Killian Hill Christian School where he serves as choir/ band/music director.
PAYING FOR THE BAND
Irene Madden became an LSO fan in the orchestra’s early days. Prior to her first concert, she wasn’t familiar with the orchestra and carried few expectations. “My neighbors next door are Korean and I noticed they had a Korean pianist that was going to be in the concert. So I took my neighbors,” Madden said. “I was blown away. I couldn’t believe it.” She was so impressed with the caliber of her first LSO concert she became a donor and advisor. “I talked to (Park) after the concert. He was very approachable. He’s infectious. He was just so grateful that someone recognized the talent.” Madden requested a meeting. “So we met. He didn’t have a post office box. He didn’t have a dedicated phone line (or website). And I said, ‘Look, I want to help you. I’m going to write you out a check, but I want you to do this, this, this, this with it.’”
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That guidance helped boost the orchestra to a wider audience. While the launch of the LSO seems to be a hit, maintaining a professional symphony can be difficult.LSO funding comes from ticket sales and corporate and individual sponsorships, but Park has an idea for a grass-roots campaign that will help sustain the orchestra and its musicians — a Cup of Coffee a Month Campaign.
Ava Cosman met Park during her days as a UGA music student. Today she serves as LSO’s development manager- working alongside LSO's social media manager, Clarissa Tamara- and plays viola in the orchestra. She explains Parks’ vision for the cup of coffee campaign. “So if a person donates $5 a month — the price of a cup of coffee — for a year …that’s $60. He’s looking for 1,000 donors to raise $60,000. “So we’re partially on our way there to complete the funding that we want to get in order to pay our musicians more, but still doing the work to seek out more sponsors, more grant work, more donors,” Cosman said.
A FEATHER IN CITY’S CAP
Having your city’s moniker paired with a professional orchestra is a point of pride for residents and city leaders alike. City Councilwoman Victoria Jones was so taken by early performances she got involved and now holds the title of Vice President of the LSO. “The first concert I attended was an afternoon performance in the Cabaret Theater at the Lawrenceville Arts Center. What really stayed with me was watching Dr. Park conduct. There was something incredibly inspiring about the way he led the orchestra — with such precision, energy, and passion.” Jones said she is also impressed by the level of talent the LSO brings to the city. “At the most recent concert, we had flutist Sarah Shin, who has performed at Carnegie Hall. To have that caliber of artistry right here at the Lawrenceville Arts Center is truly remarkable.” Mayor David Still agrees. “We love having the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra at the Lawrenceville Arts Center and look forward to continued future opportunities to engage the community through their performances. Their presence adds to the overall arts experience for residents and visitors alike.” More information on the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra can be found at lwvso.com
