(updated from the story published on Sept. 16, 2021)

Aim of free Zion KUMC music school: Build community through music

Carlos Capacho and his wife, Hanna Noh look to help a Warwick church build community through music.
He is from Venezuela. She is from Korea. They met nine years ago in Boston at Berklee College of Music, where they earned their undergraduate and master’s degrees.

Now they are bringing their talent and vision for a better world to Rhode Island through the Zion Korean United Methodist Church Free Music School. The church applied for a grant from the Creative Calling Project at Boston University School of Theology to open the school.  The grant is being used in part to retain Capacho and his wife.

The school, which opens Sept. 19, is open to people of all ages and abilities. Lessons in guitar, piano, violin, chamber ensemble and music productions will be given at the church on Kilvert Street off Post Road across from the airport in Warwick.

In the church’s application for funding Pastor Rev. Yohan Go wrote, "An old water pump is connected with the wellspring, which does not dry out even in times of drought. To draw water from the well, a small bowl of water is needed to prime a water pump. Although Zion Korean UMC does not have enough resources, our small act of serving our community can be the priming-water that connects people with Jesus Christ, the life-giving water, that never goes dry Our calling at this moment is to be the small amount of priming-water.”

In large part, the concept of a free music school is grounded in Capacho’s homeland. In an interview prior to the grand opening concert at the church Sept. 12, he talked about how towns and villages throughout the country have bands and orchestras. Music is an important part of life in Venezuela.

With a gift of playing multiple instruments - the guitar being his favorite - he played with a number of groups. His musical talent and ability to bring people together was recognized locally, where he was given the opportunity to travel throughout the country. He created eight orchestras. He would have stayed in Venezuela if not for a scholarship to Berklee.

Born in Korea, Noh studied classical piano in her home country and Germany.

The school was prepared to open when the pandemic hit. They shifted to online instruction, but as Noh observes, nothing can replace in-person instruction, especially when it comes to music.

Capacho and Noh/s approach to the schools aligns with that of Rev. Go.

“Our primary aim is to create a community through music since music is a universal language of humankind and it also has the power to create a sense of harmony and well-being within the community,” he writes.

So far, nine people have registered for the fall semester starting Sunday. Registration remains open, and those interested are urged to go to www.zionkorean.org to learn more and to register.

The fall semester for the music school runs through Dec. 12. The spring semester starts Jan. 6, 2022, and runs through May 22. Both fall and spring classes are from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

The public can get a sample of their work at a free concert Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Warwick. Capacho said a quintet would perform a program that hasn’t been finalized yet. He is considering jazz selections.