March 11, 2012 (My 16th birthday) Today I saw an article in “The Washington Post” about a South Korean maestro named Chung Myung-whun. He is organizing joint performances that will include members of North Korea’s Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra next month. He is coordinating these performances to involve musicians from rival North Korea and South Korea. I think this is a really cool and strategic way to try and end the long lived hostility between the two nations. He is trying to use a rope to tie the two nations together, and the rope is music. I sure wish I could be a part of such a huge event. Being sixteen, it would be a good experience for me. I wonder….
March 17th, 2012 (St. Patrick’s Day)
Dear Chung Myung-whun, Hello! My name is Jacob Dalton Everett. I live in the United States and have a very strong passion for music. I have read of your attempt to bring together North and South Korean musicians in a symphonic joint-performance in France, and find this phenomenon very intriguing. Such an attempt has never been fabricated in such a manor precedently. This has the potential to purge these countries of the hostility between the powers that be. If there was any possible way for me to participate in this extravagant event, I would be more than pleasured to play the trombone in your symphony. Please consider my offer. I promise nothing but my best skill and experience in this matter. A passionate musician, Jacob D. Everett After at least seven tries, I finally liked the final result. I read through my letter several more times, then finally folded it up, put it into the envelope, and sealed it by licking the glued part of the flap. I wrote down all of the information on the front, put a stamp in the top right corner, then my mom drove me down to the post office on our street. I was brimming with excitement, but there was also a little worry and doubt. What if he just flat out says no? Or there are no spots open for me? Or I’m too young? All I can do is hope and wait for a reply.
April 1st, 2012 (April Fool’s Day)
Dear Mr. Everett, Thank you sincerely for your interest in my symphony. I think it is a wonderful idea if we have an American in the group because for one, it will not only show unity between hostile nations with grudges, but WORLD unity as well. And on top of that, you being as young as you are, it will show that this group is multi-generational. We will be rehearsing this month, so I have arranged round trip airline tickets to South Korea so I can meet you personally. After that we will fly into North Korea for the actual rehearsals. Thank you again for your support and enthusiasm. Chung Myung-whun And there it is! I’ve been accepted into this eccentric musical ensemble without question! This is more than I could have ever have anticipated! The tickets are enclosed in the envelope so all have to do is