|
Could you please compose to this poem?
|
|
|
|
Chapter 28 - Could you please compose to this poem?
I met a very special person while I was attending the Korean service served by Pastor Peter (Heesang) Kwon of Wilshire Presbyterian Church in May of 1981. During the announcement it was made that his younger brother, composer KilSang Kwon would be visiting. (At that time he was a deacon now an elder) My ears lit up hearing this announcement because when I was attending elementary school I had heard his name many, many times. I had sang many children’s songs that were composed by him such as, ‘In the Flower Field’, ‘Aster’, ‘Sand Castle’, ‘Children’s Waltz’, ‘Round Moon’, and ‘Teacher’s Day Song’ were among the many. Some of his “songs” were ‘Longing’, ‘My Rivers and Mountains’, and ‘Niagara Falls’. Many of them were very beautiful.
After the service was over I greeted with Elder Kwon who was in the church yard. I had said my greetings and said that I had sung many of his children’s songs while growing up. After, knowing I may get rejected - but with determination - pulled out two sheets of paper that I had inside my suit and asked him. “Could you please compose to this poem?” He gave me a mild surprised look and took the paper and said “I do not compose unless I don’t get an inspiration after reading it.” At least he didn’t reject the papers. The two hymns were “Inspire My Life” and “See the Lord in the Early Morning.”
The two hymns were written when I had moved to the United States after leaving the YBA. Reason why I wrote these hymns was I wanted the young adults to continually be inspired by the Holy Spirit and evangelize and become faithful workers in Christ. In order for that they needed to read and meditate on His words and by faith grow and have those powers. A single hymn is so much more powerful and inspiring and motivating then hundreds of words so I wrote those hymns. I had originally requested the YoungNak Presbyterian Church’s Calvary Choir conductor elder DooWan Kim (composer of ‘The Kind Shepherd’) to compose the music. After about a year of waiting I had asked him the delay and he said he was busy so he had no time to compose. I had always wanted someone to compose for this hymn even if my writing wasn’t the most perfect. Why? Because I had no idea how I managed to carry the poem carefully in my suit pocket. (There were no personal computers during this time). While I was carrying those poems/hymns with me all the time I had met Elder Kwon and was able to pass the poem to him. I could say it was God’s intricate will and touch.
After about a month my poem “Inspire Me” was composed as a hymn. The Choir sang this during worship. Thus, my first ever written hymn, “Inspire Me” came to this world. After that Elder Kwon had composed “See the Lord in the Early Morning” as well. In year 1985, 7 of my poems that he had composed and several of his own songs were compiled to make “The 3rd Los Angeles Music Festival”. In March 21 of 1999 to honor the elder’s 50th wedding anniversary the Korean Christian Chorus Association had hosted “Composer GilSan Kwon’s Hymnal Night.” It was sponsored by the Southern California Korean Music Associate, Southern California Christian Music Association and the Korean Times (Los Angeles). At that time 10 of my hymns and several others were also included and the “Hymnal Night” was a great success.
In 2002, 60 hymns were compiled to make a hymnal book titled “Inspire Me”. In 2005, 100 hymns were compiled, “My Cup is overflowing” and in 2009 122 hymns were made into yet another book titled “It Grows in Sharing”. During the 28 years he composed 122 hymns. One thing that was common was that even though many of my hymns were not the best, with almost no correction he had composed all the hymns without rejecting. I can only bow my head and thank Elder Kwon for conducting and composing several of my hymns. Even thought he didn’t take any pay for composing he always encouraged and said simple things. I cannot express my gratitude towards elder Kwon with jus t words.
One day elder Kwon saw my son and said how old he was. I told him he was 7, and elder Kwon said that in United States children’s culture of aesthetic sentiments would be difficult and offered to teach him piano. I said that I didn’t own a piano. But he said there was a solution and that it was possible. I could not understand. So I asked how it is possible. He said to draw the piano keys on a paper and practice that way. Then come to the elder’s house to practice there as well. He made the impossible, possible. So I did as I was instructed to do and under the elders coaching my son learned how to play piano until he had graduated high school. I can only thank God again for the grace and having Elder Kwon as a huge influence into my children as well.
In year 2000 “1st Praise and Thanks Hymnal Night - with composer GilSang Kwon and HeungGu Lee” was held in San Jose. After that up till 2009 another 8 “Praise and Thanks Hymnal Night” were held. I was able to have graceful nights with many conductors, soloists, duets, choirs and many, many others who had helped or attended in gladness. I give thanks to all those who had helped. With all the sung hymns I had released 4 albums. I give thanks to the producer deacon Hyun Jung who helped to make them. In upcoming June 26 I will have a 9th “Praise and Thanks Hymnal Night” in the New Jersey Dong-San Alliance Church. I give my thanks and gratitude in advance to all those help.
(January 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moving back to San Jose 
Could you please compose to this poem?