CLEVELAND, Ga. (TMCNews) – Truett-McConnell music and fine arts chair, Ben Caston, and TMC student, Jonathan Peacock, will travel to N. Korea with the Sons of Jubal, a 150-member all-male chorus and orchestra from the Atlanta area, set to perform at the N. Korea’s Spring Arts Festival.

One of the largest musical groups of Americans ever to enter N. Korea, the Sons of Jubal will leave April 10 for the 13-day venture.

Founded in 1954, the group consists of volunteer professional musicians, church musicians, educators, and institutional leaders from Ga., who perform an extensive repertoire in the classics, Broadway show tunes, spirituals, and contemporary genres.

Global Resource Services, Inc. (GRS) — a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Atlanta — is coordinating the cultural exchange. Through its “Advocacy for the Arts” program, GRS is providing opportunities to promote goodwill and reconciliation.

“We are excited that this opportunity has come after a decade-and-a-half of experience in DPRK-United States musical exchanges,” said Robert Springs, GRS CEO and president.

GRS already has sent three other groups to N. Korea, including the Grammy award winners, Casting Crowns. The organization has three main principles: relationships, respect, and reconciliation.

“This is a historic opportunity for the group, and I am privileged to be a part of this great musical endeavor,” said Jon Duncan, conductor of the group for the past 10 years.

The Sons of Jubal will also perform in Beijing, China, with a brass choir, handbell choir, and vocal ensemble. The group has presented concerts in major halls, local churches, and communities in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Moldova, the Czech Republic, and Russia.

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