Toksu Palace Music Festival marks 10th anniversary

The Seoul Pops Orchestra`s Toksu Palace Family Music Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The festival has been held on the third Saturday of every month from March to October since 1991 and has become a weekend attraction in the heart of Seoul. It has drawn a total audience of 500,000 over the past decade.

The orchestra will hold a concert at 3 p.m. Saturday to open the season and commemorate its 10th anniversary. Toksu palace is located across from Seoul City Hall.

``The important thing is to introduce new selections every time. We constantly play new songs and we still accept requests through our Internet homepage (http://www.seolpops.or.kr),`` said conductor Ha Sung-Ho, the orchestra`s music director since the festival was launched.

The event has become a tourist attraction and concerts typically attract about 500 foreign visitors. Conductor Ha even invites them onstage to sing or dance.

The selections for Saturday`s concert include Strauss` ``Voices of Spring`` and song by the Korean pop group Position called ``Love Without Regret.``

The concert is free with admission to the palace. Call 822-593-8760 for more information.

Yoo Yoon-Jong gustav@donga.com