Shilla Ensemble

The Shilla Ensemble is a Korean traditional music group based in the UK. The group aims to achieve an inclusive approach to Korean tradition culture, which is inspired by the philosophy of the Shilla dynasty, one of the most culturally-affluent periods of Korean history. Performances by the ensemble typically include musical or dance works varying from traditional repertoires to newly composed pieces, and are based on a flexible music-making process. The inspiration behind this flexibility is both traditional and contemporary in the sense that fundamentally the creative process is based on equality and diversity. The ensemble is led by Hyelim Kim, a taegŭm (daegeum) flutist, composer and researcher, who believes that the ensemble’s Korean heritage will act as an artistic inspiration for the contemporary and cosmopolitan environment of the UK. The ensemble features daegeum (Korean bamboo flute), gayageum (zither), janggu (drum), and traditional voice, with flexible line-ups from solo to ensemble depending on the event. Performances range from intimate background music to full concert programmes