Blair percussion professor Ji Hye Jung has released a new commercial recording of “Velocities,” one of the defining works in the marimba repertoire. Composed in 1990 by Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Joseph Schwantner, “Velocities” has long been considered a landmark of contemporary percussion literature and earned a reputation as one of the instrument’s most daunting technical challenges. Today, it is widely performed by aspiring percussionists — a transformation that Jung says mirrors the rapid evolution of percussion performance itself.
“Back then, it was considered almost impossible,” Jung said. “Now, every serious high school percussionist dreams of playing it. Instruments have improved, performers have improved, and information is shared much more widely than ever before.”
Although Jung has produced performance videos and recordings throughout her career, largely as educational resources for students, the new release marks the beginning of a new commercial recording initiative that Jung hopes will grow into a larger catalog of recordings.
For Jung, releasing a piece already familiar to generations of percussionists required a fresh perspective.
“Every musician has to find an authentic voice,” she said. “For me, this piece is not about simply playing the right notes at the right time. Joseph Schwantner is an extraordinary orchestral composer, and I’m trying to bring out the colors, textures and timbres that exist within the marimba.”
That search for deeper musical expression shapes every aspect of Jung’s career, not only as an internationally acclaimed performer but also as one of Blair’s most influential educators. Rather than focusing solely on technical mastery, Jung encourages students to begin with the emotional heart of a piece.
“I always ask students to find something they genuinely connect with in the music,” she said. “My job is to understand the music as deeply as I can and then share what’s behind the notes.”
Alongside fellow Blair percussion professor Lee Vinson, Jung has expanded opportunities for students through ambitious international collaborations that immerse them in new cultures, musical traditions and artistic perspectives. For Jung, those collaborations are intended to broaden students’ musical perspectives while challenging them to grow personally through immersion in unfamiliar cultures.
“I want students to realize there’s a whole world out there,” Jung said. “People think differently, create differently and live differently. That’s all valuable to learn.”
Recent residencies in South Korea and Portugal have paired Blair students with musicians from around the world, creating lasting artistic friendships and demonstrating music’s ability to bridge language and cultural barriers. This December, Blair will host faculty and students from the Korea National University of Arts for another collaborative percussion performance, further strengthening the partnership between the two institutions.
Jung summarizes her teaching philosophy succinctly: “I try to help each student find their own path. My job is to make sure they get to that next place.”
While “Velocities” introduces new listeners to Jung’s artistry, it also reflects the values that define her work at Blair: technical excellence, expressive musicianship, curiosity and connection.
Watch the music performance video for “Velocities.”